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Work through the steps below when progressing through your charity's review or audit process.

Appoint a reviewer or auditor

  • Start early to allow time for the reviewer or auditor to perform their work.
  • Ask other charities for advice and recommendations.
  • Ensure the reviewer or auditor is independent of the organisation.
  • Check they are appropriately qualified.
  • Make sure you are getting value for money.

Prepare for your review or audit

Your charity can make the review or audit process easier by:

  • recording any accounting problems recognised before the review or audit
  • trying to fix these problems, or if they cannot be fixed before, writing a plan on how your charity will fix them
  • asking the reviewer or auditor to provide your charity with a schedule of the review or audit before they start, outlining what they need from the charity and when they plan to do the review or audit
  • contacting them before the review or audit to clarify any points you are uncertain about
  • providing them with some desk space and scheduling time for people to meet with them
  • informing all staff about the review or audit, and what is expected from staff.

Get the most out of your review or audit

The review or audit is a good opportunity for your charity to improve its accounting and administrative systems. Do not be worried if the reviewer or auditor finds areas to improve in your charity’s accounting processes and systems - this is common.

You charity can get the most out of this process by:

  • asking the reviewer or auditor about areas where your charity could improve
  • talking to them about any problems they find
  • developing a plan to fix the problems
  • providing them with a copy of the plan and asking for feedback
  • sharing the learning from the review or audit with all staff.

Removing a reviewer or auditor

  • Take time to make a decision – make sure you no longer want to retain the reviewer or auditor.
  • Check your charity's governing document, policies and procedures to see what processes your charity needs to follow.
  • If you are a charity incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Act has specific requirements for the appointment and removal of an auditor that apply.