auditoria que es

What is an audit: definition, types and meaning

By /

Do you know what an audit is and what types of audits exist? It is a process that a company will probably go through more than once in its life. Although it may not be the same type of audit every time.

Is that positive or negative? The truth is that it depends on the type of audit, who carries it out and why. And although it may sound a bit strange, you will find out more about this when you learn about the wide diversity of types of audits.

But let’s start from the beginning: the definition of audit.

What is an audit: definition and basic types

What is an audit?

It is the compendium of the investigation and collection of data and evidence on an aspect related to a company or entity carried out by an auditor in order to verify its status and/or compliance with specific norms, standards or rules.

There are basically two types of audits: internal and external.

What is an internal audit and an external audit?

What is an internal audit? An internal audit is one that is carried out within the company, entity or organisation itself.

What is an external audit? An external audit is one that is carried out by a third party. In other words, it is carried out by people outside the audited company, entity or enterprise. To ensure that it is a quality job, it is advisable that it is planned and carried out by professionals. By firms, entities or companies specialised and qualified in the evaluation of the type of audit to be carried out.

In this case we can also speak of two different types of audits: voluntary and mandatory.

Voluntary audits, for example, are commissioned by the entity itself to ascertain the real state of its accounts. Or in organisational development, to obtain quality certification that accredits its compliance with recognised standards

The mandatory audit is that which, for example, may be ordered by a court or the Tax Agency to check the accounts and movements carried out within the audited company or entity. And that would be used to check the legality or illegality of the same.

But there is even more to consider when we talk about what an audit is. Depending on what aspects you analyse or audit, there are a variety of different types of audits.

types of audits

Common types of audits and what they are used for

What is process auditing?

A process auditing analyses and collects data to identify the risks and opportunities of that company or entity. The aim is to have real information about the company or entity in order to develop strategic actions to improve internal management.

At Nextport we know it well because it is one of our services.

Financial audit

What is a financial audit? A financial audit is an examination of the accounts of a company or entity. Its purpose is to verify that the accounting data are consistent and not misrepresented. It includes an investigation into the actual state of the accounts and the financial situation of the audited entity at all levels.

Quality audit

What is a quality audit and what is it for? Its objective is to verify that the quality system implemented by a company achieves the established standards or objectives. And that it has the capacity to maintain them over time.

It is used, for example, to assess whether you can receive a certain quality certification or a recognised qualification. For example, an ISO certification or a Q for quality.

Equal pay audit

The equal pay audit aims to verify whether there is a pay gap between men and women in the company. And whether the equality rights required by law are being respected in the company.

What is an energy audit and what does it consist of?

It analyses and collects information on energy consumption in the company or in one of its processes, buildings or systems. Efficiency and energy flows should be studied through inspections and the collection of data on energy consumption.

Marketing audit

It analyses and evaluates strategies, actions or programmes related to marketing. The aim is to detect mistakes and successes and their profitability. The goal is to develop strategies to achieve better results in a more cost-effective way.

what is an audit

Social

It consists of an analysis of the balance of its social action and ethical behaviour. It also evaluates the efficient use of economic, technical and human resources. Its main functions are to verify the transparency of the entity or company in these aspects.

What is an environmental audit?

Another of the most common is the environmental one. It can be commissioned or carried out for different purposes. For example, to check whether environmental legislation is being complied with. Or if you are eligible for environmental quality certification. Or to identify failures and to find out what needs to be improved in this area. Or to show the public that you really are a sustainable company or have ECO values, among other purposes.

But what is an environmental audit? One that evaluates the audited organisation’s or company’s environmental performance, achievements and position of respect and care for the environment.

Communication audit

It evaluates and diagnoses the organisation’s communication capacities, its actions and how they are perceived by the people to whom they are addressed. The purpose is usually to identify failures and successes in order to implement improvements in the company in this aspect.

What is an innovation audit?

That which assesses the company’s current situation regarding innovation. It usually consists of an analysis of the company’s innovative activities, if they exist. And what their development and results are.

Tax Audit

Its purpose is to verify that the organisation complies with the tax laws of the country or countries in which it operates. And that it is paying its taxes correctly and legally.

Other common types of audits

  • Legal
  • Administrative
  • Web accessibility
  • Forensic
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Prevention
  • Accessibility
  • Integral
  • Human resources

And there is more. Now you know what an audit is, and which are the most frequent ones. Do you think your organisation needs any of them?

Related Posts

25,100 thoughts on “What is an audit: definition, types and meaning”

  1. Pingback: buy adderall online legally

  3. NetBet_di7

    Update: still using this after 3 months and honestly impressed with how consistent things have been, no major issues, withdrawls process smooth, and the whole platform feels reliable overall. туеи?е

  4. aa88

    Hey I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by mistake,
    while I was looking on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here
    now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a
    all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
    to browse it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a
    great deal more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

  8. Pingback: Erfahrungsberichte Deutschland ehrliche Hotelbewertungen Reiseblog Deutschland Ausflugstipps NRW Städtetrip Erfahrungen Produkttests Alltag Freizeitaktivitäten Deutschland persönliche Erfahrungsberichte Blog Reiseberichte authentisch romantische Kurztr

  11. Pingback: cashew nuts

  12. Pingback: visit the up coming article

  13. Pingback: здуття живота

  19. casino spinmama

    Ahoj lidi, v posledni dobe docela dost resim, jakym zpusobem se ten mistni gamblingovy svet vyviji.
    Driv to byvalo ciste jinak, ale dneska uz clovek bezne chce hlavne stabilitu a jasny system.
    Docela si myslim, ze tim hlavnim je predevsim kvalitni telefonni casino spinmama, nebot bez toho uz to vazne nedava smysl.
    Krome toho me vazne prekvapuje, jak se zlepsuje nabidka
    interaktivnich her s dealery, protoze to vdechuje tu skutecnou naladu rovnou u cloveka doma.
    Jak to vidim ja je zasadni si v kazdem pripade hlidat ruzne komentare, abyste nenarazili.
    Pozorujete podobnou vec? Jak vubec povazujete za top
    vy, radsi automaty nebo moderni stolni hry? Napiste, jestlize
    se podelite o nejaky zazitek! https://securityholes.science/wiki/User:EdithZarate

  20. Pingback: browse this site

  27. Pingback: Adderall 7.5mg

  28. mainslot88 login

    You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be really something that
    I believe I’d never understand. It sort of feels too complex and
    very vast for me. I am having a look forward to your
    subsequent post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  29. Cliff

    Hello! Quick question that’s entirely off topic.
    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?

    My weblog looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem.
    If you have any recommendations, please share. Thanks!

  30. realtor in Charlotte NC

    Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the web the easiest factor to consider of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked whilst other folks think about concerns that they plainly do not understand about.

    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest as well as defined out the entire thing with no need side effect , people can take a signal.
    Will probably be again to get more. Thanks

    My blog :: realtor in Charlotte NC

  32. Pingback: mega СПб

  35. Pingback: МЕГА сайт

  40. 88xeng

    After going over a handful of the blog posts on your web site, I truly like
    your technique of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as
    well and tell me your opinion.

  50. 소액결제

    소액결제현금화 전문 상담! 휴대폰소액결제현금화, 정보이용료현금화,
    콘텐츠이용료현금화 업계 최저 수수료로 3분
    내 즉시 입금. 24시간 365일 안전한 정식 사업자.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top