What is an Operational Audit? Operational audits differ from other types of internal audit in that their objective is to evaluate efficiency, effectiveness, economy, and ethics (known as the 4Es). They may also have other objectives, such as assessing compliance requirements or testing the controls of an information system, but the direct examination of one or more of the 4Es is crucial. In this article we will discuss about operational audit, types of operational audit, its purpose, its process, audit checklist, advantages & disadvantages.What is Operational Audit? An operational audit is the evaluation of a company's operating activities, both on a daily basis and on a bigger scale. In contrast to other types of audits that may focus primarily on a specific department or the company's finances, an operational audit is more comprehensive. The aim of using an operational auditing approach is to find out, whether business operations are being managed in an economic, efficient, effective and ethical manner (the 4Es), whether procedures for promoting and monitoring the 4Es are adequate, whether real improvements can be made – not just assessing whether there is compliance or non-compliance. This type of audit evaluates the organization's management procedures in addition to its financial situation. It seeks to identify areas in which the organization's operations might be made more efficient, productive, and successful. It could be conducted by outside specialists or an internal audit team.Types of Operational Audit An operational audit examines the business processes and procedures within a company. This type of audit may overlap with other types of audits, such as: - Department audits: -Different departments in a company have different goals and responsibilities, so they use different processes and procedures. An audit can look at these steps and find ways to make them better. It can also look at the resources the department has and how well they use them when doing processes. For instance, an operational audit could look at certain departments like human resources, marketing, or information technology. - Investigative audits: A business may carry out an investigative audit to ascertain the root cause of an error or security breach if they learn about it or think it has happened. They may evaluate a department's or employee's operations as part of this audit. To guarantee that the problem does not recur in the future, the auditor may offer ideas to enhance those processes or associated procedures. - Compliance audits: This kind of audit assesses a company's compliance with internal regulations and relevant external laws. The auditor will evaluate present practices to make sure they adhere to any standards or laws pertinent to the organization's sector. The audit may check compliance with procedures for recruiting and terminating people, for instance, if the organization has behavior standards that all employees must abide by. - Follow-up audits: After conducting an operational audit, the organization will make any necessary adjustments. They may then schedule a follow-up audit to evaluate the effectiveness of the adjustments at a later date.Operational Audit Purpose An operational audit's ultimate goal is to maximize efficiency. A company can identify problem areas and increase its efficiency by conducting an audit of its internal policies and procedures. The findings of the audit are most advantageous to the management team, who can use the audit's recommendations to streamline future operations. Here are the most significant results of an effective operational audit: - Maximize efficiency: Increase efficiency by gaining a deeper understanding of how future policies and processes can enhance efficiency. - Understand risks: Health and safety concerns and cyber-attacks are examples of the operational risks that businesses face. These risks, as well as potential fraud and compliance issues, are revealed by a thorough operational audit. - Effective internal controls: An audit can examine the impact of any changes to internal controls in depth by analysing each step of the operational process. - Increase Effectiveness: The audit can assist in identifying areas in which the organization is not meeting its goals and provide recommendations for improving its performance.Operational Audit Process A pre-audit meeting sets the stage for the operational auditing procedure. At this step, the auditor meets with the management team to collect pertinent information. Gathering background information on the company aids in identifying any problem areas or industry-specific difficulties that must be addressed. During this preliminary phase, the auditor will also explain the auditing procedure in detail to the managers. Thereafter, the auditor can conduct interviews with managers in charge of potentially dangerous sectors. There is documentation of objectives and activities, with risks noted and handed back to managers for confirmation. Utilizing operational issue locations, the auditor can build control-level testing procedures. To determine which new processes or objectives will boost the organization's efficiency, tests are done, and the results are thoroughly recorded. Finally, the auditor composes a thorough audit report. Follow-up meetings with management can aid in the resolution of any lingering problems with new systems or controls.Operational Audit Checklist The operational auditing procedure involves a series of steps to evaluate the operations of an organization and assess its efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with regulations and policies. Depending on the sort of firm being audited, the operational audit's areas of focus will vary. We've detailed the broad process previously, but here's a quick operational audit checklist of procedures for improved flow: - Select and screen auditors. - Define audit plans and scope. - Pull together reference documents. - Identify administrative support. - Research operational procedures. - Collect statistical evidence. - Audit evidence from all sources - Evaluate evidence. - Compile audit findings - Share audit conclusions. - Give actionable advice. - Follow up with questions and concerns.Operational Auditing Advantages & Disadvantages Advantages There are numerous reasons to consider conducting an operational audit. When conducted by an independent third party, it offers a business with an objective assessment of its activities. They can give new insights that result in increased sales, accelerated manufacturing, and streamlined systems. Recognizing hazards in advance can protect the firm from future consequences. Disadvantages Before conducting an operational audit, it is important to evaluate the time and money involved. When managers and employees are occupied with the audit, they will be diverted from their customary duties. It can be very time-consuming for complicated firms because each process step must be reviewed. Also, business owners should be aware that operational audits may uncover unforeseen problems that require time to resolve. This may include a total reworking of existing systems, necessitating new personnel training. In the long term, these disruptions may be worthwhile if the operational audit results in a more effective means of conducting business. Also Read: What is ICFR (Internal Control Over Financial Reporting)?
