Auditing Principles

Principles of auditing are defined in the ISO 19011, the principles are designed to make an audit an effective and reliable tool for business performance improvements. The audit principles are also designed to achieve consistent conclusions from performed by independent auditors. There are six audit principles that are prerequisites that should be adhered with to achieve consistent audit results. The six principles are integrity, fair presentation, due professional care, confidentiality, independence and evidence based approach.

Integrity

The auditor should perform the work with honesty, diligence and responsibility. By using this method to perform the audit, the auditee will be confident the result of the audit is fair and accurate. The auditor must comply with applicable legal requirements. Eg. OHS, environmental, relevant acts and legislations. While conducting the audit the auditor must display competence in performing the audit. This can be as simple as listening, taking notes and confirming with the auditee the key points of the conversation. By displaying competence during the audit, the auditee can be assured the audit report will reflect the actual audit. The audits must be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner. Personal judgement can hinder true and accurate findings of the audit and therefore the audit should be conducted impartially. The auditor should also be mindful of any influence that may be exerted on the auditee’s judgement while performing the audit.

Fair Presentation

Using the facts, data and evidence collected throughout the audit must be reported truthfully and accurately. If significant obstacles were encountered throughout the audit and unresolved diverging opinions between the audit team and the auditee should also be included in the audit report.

Due Professional care

Audit clients and other interested parties trust that the information provided in the audit is given in confidence and any market sensitive information