General audit

General audit
See also
External auditors role Audit evidence Accounting and auditing Operational audit Social audit Quality of accounting Continuous audit Quality of audit Objectivity in accounting

A general audit is a comprehensive review of an organization's financial records and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. The goal of a general audit is to provide stakeholders with reliable information about the organization's financial performance and state of affairs. Generally, a general audit will involve the following:

• Examining documents such as financial statements, accounting ledgers, and internal financial reports
• Investigating the accuracy of the organization's accounting methods and procedures
• Assessing the organization's compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Evaluating the adequacy of the organization's internal controls
• Verifying the accuracy of the organization's financial records

Example of General audit

General audit of ABC Organization is an independent review of the organization's financial records, procedures and practices for accuracy and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and policies. The audit objectives are to:

• Verify the accuracy of the organization's financial statements and internal financial reports
• Analyze the organization's accounting methods and procedures
• Assess the organization's compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Evaluate the adequacy of the organization's internal controls
• Review the accuracy of the organization's financial records

The results of the general audit will provide stakeholders with reliable information about the organization's financial performance and state of affairs. The audit will include a review of the organization’s accounting records, procedures, and processes to ensure accuracy, reliability, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

When to use General audit

General audits are typically used when an organization is required by law or regulation to have their financial records and procedures audited, or when an organization's stakeholders want to ensure that the organization is adhering to applicable laws and regulations and has adequate internal controls in place. Furthermore, general audits can be used to identify potential areas of financial risk, analyze financial trends and performance, and evaluate the overall effectiveness of an organization's accounting and financial practices.

Types of General audit

A general audit can be divided into two categories: external audits and internal audits. External audits are performed by independent third-party auditors, while internal audits are conducted by an organization’s internal audit staff.

External Audits:

• An external audit is an independent assessment of an organization’s financial statements by an independent third-party auditor.
• The auditor will examine the organization’s records and procedures, including the accuracy of its financial statements, the adequacy of its internal controls, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• The objective of an external audit is to provide stakeholders with an unbiased opinion about the accuracy and reliability of the organization’s financial statements.

Internal Audits:

• An internal audit is an independent assessment of an organization’s financial records and procedures by an organization’s internal audit staff.
• The internal audit staff will examine the organization’s records and procedures, including the accuracy of its financial statements, the adequacy of its internal controls, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• The objective of an internal audit is to provide stakeholders with an unbiased opinion about the accuracy and reliability of the organization’s financial records and procedures.

Overall, a general audit is a comprehensive review of an organization's financial records and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. External audits are performed by independent third-party auditors, while internal audits are conducted by an organization’s internal audit staff. The goal of a general audit is to provide stakeholders with reliable information about the organization's financial performance and state of affairs.

Steps of General audit

A general audit typically follows a seven-step process:

• Establish audit objectives – The auditor will first establish what the objectives of the audit are. This includes determining what areas of the organization to focus on and the scope of the audit.
• Gather information – The auditor will then gather information about the organization, such as financial statements, accounting ledgers, and internal financial reports.
• Analyze information – The auditor will then analyze the information to identify any discrepancies or areas of concern.
• Identify risks – The auditor will then identify any areas of risk or potential non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Document findings – The auditor will then document their findings and prepare a report.
• Present findings – The auditor will then present their findings to the organization and discuss any areas of concern or recommendations.
• Follow-up – The auditor will then follow-up to ensure that any recommendations have been implemented.

Advantages of General audit

A general audit provides several advantages to an organization, such as:

• Improved accuracy of financial statements and reports: A general audit helps to identify any errors or inconsistencies in the financial statements and reports. This ensures that the financial statements and reports are accurate and up-to-date.
• Increased transparency: A general audit helps to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the organization's financial performance and state of affairs. This increased transparency helps to build trust and confidence among stakeholders.
• Reduced financial risk: A general audit helps to ensure that the organization is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This reduces the risk of financial penalties and other legal repercussions.
• Enhanced internal control: A general audit helps to identify areas where the organization's internal controls can be improved. This helps to reduce the risk of fraud and other financial losses.

Limitations of General audit

General audit comes with a few limitations that should be considered. These include the following:

• The scope of the audit is limited to the financial records and procedures of the organization
• The auditor is required to perform their work within the constraints of the organization's existing internal controls
• The auditor is unable to verify the accuracy of all information presented to them
• The auditor is not able to provide assurance regarding the organization's future performance

Other approaches related to General audit

In addition to a general audit, there are other approaches that can be used to review an organization's financial records. These include a financial review, an operational audit, and a compliance audit. A financial review is a limited examination of an organization's financial statements and records. An operational audit is an evaluation of the effectiveness of the organization's operational processes and procedures. A compliance audit evaluates the organization's compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Each of these approaches provides a different level of assurance to stakeholders.

Overall, there are various approaches to auditing an organization's financial records and procedures, each providing a different level of assurance. A general audit is a comprehensive review of the organization's financial records and procedures, while a financial review, operational audit, and compliance audit are more limited examinations.

Suggested literature

• Debreceny, R., Lee, S. L., Neo, W., & Shuling Toh, J. (2005). Employing generalized audit software in the financial services sector: Challenges and opportunities. Managerial Auditing Journal, 20(6), 605-618.
• Ahmi, A., & Kent, S. (2012). The utilisation of generalized audit software (gas) by external auditors. Managerial Auditing Journal, 28(2), 88-113.