8 Free Sample Audit Schedule Templates

An audit schedule is the information layout that is developed by the external auditors to provide the guidelines to the organization in preparing specific information presented in a specific way that assists the audit. It is necessary to complete the audit schedule by the organization before the audit starts as it serves as a proof of audit work that is being executed by the audit team.

Since the important business processes are likely to flow across the organization and consequently may refer to a number of activities and departments. Other processes may flow more perpendicularly within the organization. This makes it even more important to understand the boundaries within the business processes and schedule your audits accordingly.

The main purpose of an audit schedule is not only to plan type and number of audits, but also to identify and provide the required resources to carry them out. The first step in conducting the audit is to define the audit schedule. Things and processes that needs to be added in the schedule should be identified and put them in it. The next step is to implement the audit schedule, followed by reviewing and improving the audit schedule. Therefore, it is necessary to create a schedule carefully and properly.

Moreover, it is important for the organization management to prepare the audit schedule by itself because if the management does not do it then the auditor has to do it all, which would be quite expensive for the organization. Keep in mind that the more schedules that are prepared by the management, the less extensive work the auditor have to do, making it economical for the organization.

Depending on the nature of the organization, the audit schedule may vary from company to company and department to department. However, keeping in view the importance of audit schedule, here we present a few general tips that will help you in creating and using an audit schedule in a proper way.

Start with the document that illustrates the processes to be audited.
Find out which processes are more important that can greatly have an effect on your customers. Schedule them for additional audits, perhaps two or three times a year.
Develop a schedule that is appropriate for your organization.
Try to organize audit schedules by clauses as it will allow you evaluate the processes easily and effectively.
Determine whether you want to make a monthly, quarterly or yearly audit schedule.
Important processes should have increased audit regularity. Include them in each audit schedule.
Adjust your audit schedule based on your findings in a department or a business process. If it is encountering with too many issues then increase the frequency of the audits.
Audit each department or process at least once a year.
Use the updated audit process as a prospect to take counteractive and precautionary measures and find the main reason of the problem.

By following these tips, you will be able to create an audit schedule that will eventually help you in making the progress of the organization.

Here is preview of This First Sample Audit Schedule Template created using MS Word,