The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually
looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.
Workpaper Quality & Timeliness
The accuracy, completeness, and clarity of your audit workpapers, and whether they're submitted on time.
Target · <10% of workpapers returned for rework; 95% submitted by deadline. You submit a workpaper for review, and it only needs minor formatting tweaks, no factual corrections or missing evidence. It's in on Thursday, exactly when we agreed.
Finding Accuracy & Substantiation
How well your identified control weaknesses are supported by evidence and how often they're accepted by management without significant challenge.
Target · >85% of drafted findings accepted by management without material changes. You identify a control gap in expense reporting. Your finding clearly outlines the risk, the control failure, and is backed by three specific examples from transactions. Management agrees with your assessment.
Audit Section Completion Rate
The percentage of your assigned audit testing and documentation tasks completed within the agreed-upon timeframe.
Target · 95% of assigned testing completed by the agreed-upon deadline. For the Q2 Accounts Payable audit, you were assigned 15 control tests. You completed 14 of them and clearly escalated the reason for the one outstanding item well in advance.
Issue Identification Beyond Scope
The number of relevant control weaknesses or process improvements you identify that weren't explicitly part of your initial testing plan.
Target · At least 1-2 value-add observations per significant audit. While testing a specific control, you notice an inefficiency in the wider process that, if fixed, could save the team 5 hours a week. You raise this as a 'value-add observation' in the report.
Stakeholder Communication
How clearly and professionally you communicate with auditees and your internal team, especially when discussing findings or requesting information.
- Auditees typically respond promptly and cooperatively to your requests. Your emails are clear, concise, and don't require multiple follow-ups for clarification. Your manager rarely needs to intervene in your communications with the business.
Application of Professional Skepticism
Your ability to question information, seek corroborating evidence, and not take things at face value, even when dealing with senior colleagues.
- You consistently ask 'why' and 'how' questions during walkthroughs. You identify discrepancies in documentation or explanations and follow up until resolved. You challenge assumptions politely but firmly when evidence doesn't support them.
Adherence to IIA Standards
Your consistent application of the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) in your daily audit work.
- Your workpapers clearly show evidence of planning, risk assessment, and proper documentation of testing. You consistently follow the Internal Audit methodology and ethical guidelines. Your manager notes your understanding of the 'Red Book' standards in reviews.
Proactive Problem Solving
Your initiative in identifying potential roadblocks in your audit work and proposing solutions before they become major issues.
- You flag potential delays with PBC lists early and suggest alternative ways to get information. You research solutions to data extraction challenges rather than waiting for your manager to provide them. You come to your manager with a problem and at least one idea for how to fix it.
