“What kind of report writing problems does your audit staff have?” When a potential client asks me to conduct a writing seminar, this is the first question I ask. It was my first question when I was asked to be an editor and writing coach at a state auditor’s office. Invariably, the project manager, manager, […]
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Audit documentation should LINK!
When I review audit documentation, I don’t care about grammar, spelling, color, or hyperlinks. I ignore all of that petty detail because it keeps me focused on the minutia instead of the big picture. What I am looking for is how the key elements of the audit fit together and whether the audit documentation tells […]
Why Should the Conclusion in an Audit Report Mirror the Objective?
In this episode of THE SAMPLE, Leita Hart-Fanta, CPA covers the concept of mirroring the objective in the conclusion of an audit report.
A GAGAS Audit Promotes Good Government
A GAGAS audit puts you on the front line of the never-ending fight for good government. Government auditors are powerful and knowledgable, but not everyone knows that. I imagine that you, like me, have listened patiently while your brother-in-law spouts off about how stupid government is. Half of what he says is off-base, and he […]
Five Types of Reasoning Auditors Can Use to Persuade Auditees
Auditors apply multiple types of reasoning as they seek the truth. But some auditees don’t agree with our version of the truth! Maybe some of the conflict occurs because we are using a different type of reasoning than the auditee. I don’t really see it that way! We all have a preferred reasoning style – […]
How to Stop Blaming Others
In this episode of THE SAMPLE, Leita Hart-Fanta, CPA answers the question, “How do I stop blaming others and get the job done?”
I have to do what ?*#$@ to audit government grants!?!
Living the dream! Low effort, high yield! There is gold in them there hills! I get calls from CPAs in public practice every so often. They heard a rumor that auditing government programs is lucrative and they see gold in them there hills! But an audit of government grants is pretty darn involved and I feel […]
5 Reasons Why Auditors Fail to Detect Fraud
Whenever a financial scandal occurs everyone wonders why auditors fail to detect fraud. But is it reasonable to lay the onus on auditors? No, it isn’t.
What Goes in Audit Findings?
In this episode of THE SAMPLE, Leita Hart-Fanta, CPA answers the question, “What Goes in Audit Findings?”