A few months back we released this execution framework calling it “Audit Fuel”, since the framework is designed very specifically to maximize auditor productivity and results. All of the details on the Audit Fuel Framework can be found at http://auditfuel.org, but I wanted to post a couple of flowcharts to help potential workpapers.com customers understand how audits flow in the system. This chart shows the flow for audits of internal control such as SOX 404 audits, SAS 70 audits, many (if not most) internal audits, and business process reviews.

As you can see, all of the key steps of internal control auditor workflow are included in the framework in a visualization that helps the auditor do less planning and get started working. While not required, we like to draft deliverables first. This makes the objectives of the audit clear and sets the auditor down the correct path to be able to break audit procedures down in a way that will ensure they ultimately roll back up into the audit report properly without wasting time on unnecessary procedures.

Anyway, with this core execution model in place, effective communication is the last hurdle to an efficient and effective audit. It is really a couple of key enablers that ensure 1) effective communication with the client or business process owners and 2) effective communication among the audit team. The enablers are appropriate use of request list items, to-do items (or review notes), and supervisor reviews/sign-offs and make the execution enablers piece of the Audit Fuel Framework.

The first one is for people like me that live in their workpapers.com account and already get too much email. For people like us, we added an email notification opt-out. Simply click on “My Profile” and uncheck the “Email Notifications” box. Once you do, you will no longer receive emails when someone assigns something to you for review or when someone assigns you to-do items. I am in workpapers.com so much that I will see the items without email notifications, I’m guessing many of you are the same.

The second I like even more… We’ve added the summary graphs of findings status to the PDF status report. Now when you produce the status report, not only do you get the progress summary graphs and the objective by objective detailed progress information but also the summary of findings (how many, how severe, open/closed status). We think this make the status report much more complete while retaining the ease of producing the report in one click.

Hope these help. We’re looking forward to some bigger feature releases within the next few weeks, stay tuned.

Take the tour or contact us if you might like to explore this idea further.

We still do not (and will not) on-site customer installations as we feel doing so would put the quality of our service at risk, which we will not do. However, offering private, dedicated hosting gives larger organizations to have to customize their installation to meet specific company policies.

If you are interested in a dedicated server installation, please contact us for a pricing quote. Pricing for private server installations includes a one time setup fee of $1000-5000 (depending on specific needs) and a monthly or annual service fee (starting at $2000/month with discounts for annual payment), just like our standard plans.

Examples of Control Based Audits:

• Sarbanes-Oxley Audits
• SAS 70 Audits
• Internal Audits of Internal Control
• Business Process Reviews

Examples of Workplan Based Audits:

• Most Compliance Audits (PCI, HIPAA, Banking Regulation, etc)
• Royalty and Licensing Audits
• Internal Audits with Specific Workplans/Audit Steps

Audit Fuel Workpapers was originally designed for control-based audits, however we immediately wanted to add workplan based audit types for use on our audit engagements that were not internal control audits. So, we have finally gotten there and these audit types are now available in the system. To use them, simply select a workplan-based audit type when setting up a new audit.

Have a great audit!