What is the first action a lead auditor or audit manager should take post-audit announcement?

The initial kickoff meeting is an essential step following the announcement of an audit. This meeting sets the tone for the entire audit process, facilitating communication among the audit team, management, and relevant stakeholders. The purpose of this gathering is to ensure that everyone involved understands the objectives, scope, and timeline of the audit, as well as to clarify roles and responsibilities.

Holding a kickoff meeting also helps identify potential challenges and areas of concern, allowing the audit team to align their approach based on mutual understanding and collaboration. It serves as an opportunity to establish frameworks for open dialogue and information sharing, which contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the audit process.

In contrast, preparing the final audit report is an activity that takes place after the audit has been completed, and compiling previous audit findings is generally useful but occurs after the team has a clearer context from the kickoff meeting. Notifying external regulatory bodies typically follows key findings or actions from the audit and is not an immediate priority upon announcement. Thus, the kickoff meeting emerges as the logical first step in the audit process.