A process audit is a highly focused inspection of internal systems, processes and organizations. Process audits are more than just tracking, sampling and measuring products. The purpose of process audits is to limit the focus of the assessment to procedures, routines, or specifications used in a designated business area, unit, or department.
Why Process Audit?
ü
Evaluate control systems;
ü
Verify that the company's control rules and procedures are in place;
ü
Prevent losses;
ü
Improve the performance of operations;
ü
Advise senior management in decision making.
In order to really achieve the desired effect, the process audit must be programmed and structured, so that the results reflect reality. Process Analysis is a methodical approach to improving the understanding and redesign of the organization's workflow. It acts as a tool to maintain and improve business processes and also helps in achieving the incremental benefits for the transformation such as cost reduction, optimized resource utilization, effective human resource allocation and process efficiency. We can cite as pmain steps for process analysis:
ü
Know resource providers;
ü
Identify the main resource inputs;
ü
Know how to process these resources;
ü
Specify the process outputs;
ü
Detect which are the key customers of the process.
While business risks are uncertainties, opportunities arise from managing those risks. Risk management is the process of identifying, evaluating and controlling threats to an organization's capital and earnings. These threats, or risks, can stem from a wide variety of sources, including financial uncertainty, legal liabilities, strategic management errors, accidents, and natural disasters. IT security threats and data-related risks and risk management strategies to alleviate them have become a top priority for digitized enterprises. As a result, a risk management plan increasingly includes companies' processes to identify and control threats to their digital assets, including proprietary corporate data, a customer's personal information, and intellectual property. To map the risks and opportunities, it is necessary to ensure the established objectives, identify and value the positive effects and curb, reduce and prevent the negative effects.
Process Management aligns processes with an organization's strategic goals by designing and implementing process architectures, establishing process measurement systems that align with organizational goals, and educating and organizing managers so that they manage processes effectively. also need appropriate practices such as establishing and disclosing success factors, automating control procedures, evaluating performance and establishing a routine for training and continuous improvement.
A process audit should be seen as an element of aid and support to managers, bringing benefits such as always having current and reliable information on how processes are being performed. That is why there is a recommendation that a business process audit be carried out on an ongoing basis, or at least that some periods be set for doing so. But nevertheless, the audit process cannot be neglected. All companies can benefit from process auditing, being able to:
ü
Ensure the effectiveness of current controls;
ü
Identify improvements to existing processes;
ü
Support the creation of new processes;
ü
Prevent losses, with early detection of problems;
ü
Increase company reliability.
Want to know other benefits? Our team will be happy to serve you!
Get in touch with TATICCA – ALLINIAL GLOBAL, which offers integrated auditing, accounting, tax, corporate finance, financial advisory, risk advisory, technology, business consulting and training services. For more information, visit www.taticca.com.br or e-mail taticca@taticca.com.br. Our company has professionals with extensive experience in the market and has certified methodologies for carrying out activities.