Internal Audit Report – writing in English

A Short Introduction

• Seminar objectives – what we would like to achieve
• How to use the report writing workbook
• Let’s discuss some practice examples

The Principles of Plain English – How to Write Clearly and Concisely

• Remove ambiguous, confusing and wordy phrases
• Replace pompous words and audit jargon
• Understand how active and passive voice impacts clarity
• Avoid common mistakes made by non-native speakers

How to Write Persuasive Executive Summaries

• Learn how to capture the executive’s attention
• Write sound starts and excellent endings
• Meet the executive’s information needs

How to Write Impactful Audit Findings

• Summarise the problem concisely
• Understand which symptoms support your findings best
• Write root causes that can prevent the problem’s recurrence
• Formulate risk statements that prompt management to take actions

How to Write Effective Actions and Recommendations

• Formulate actions that resolve the findings and root causes sustainably
• Write actions that will be accepted and acted upon by using the SMART principle
• Understand when short- or long-term solutions are required

The Basics of Clear Layout – How to Present Information Effectively

• Learn how the report structure influences the readability
• Help the reader to easily navigate through your report
• Organise series, lists, tables and figures

Beyond Report Writing

• Proofreading – it’s time to audit your report
• Report styles and formats
• More useful sources and guidance