What should auditors check in the policies and procedures documents?

Auditors should verify that policies and procedures documents reflect organizational changes and regulatory requirements because this ensures that the documents are current and relevant. Organizational changes can impact the operations, risk landscape, and compliance obligations of an organization, necessitating updates to policies and procedures to align with the present state of the organization. Regulatory requirements are crucial as they dictate the legal framework within which an organization operates; therefore, auditors must confirm that the documentation complies with applicable laws, standards, and industry practices.

By ensuring that the policies and procedures are up-to-date and in accordance with regulatory expectations, auditors can assess the effectiveness of the internal controls and risk management strategies of the organization. This helps in identifying potential areas of non-compliance or deficiencies that may expose the organization to risks, including legal penalties or operational inefficiencies.

The other options do not align with best practices for maintaining effective policies and procedures. Having documents that include only outdated practices would be detrimental, as outdated policies could lead to non-compliance or operational failures. Unsigned copies signify a lack of accountability or authorization, which undermines the validity of the documents. Lastly, limiting access to policies and procedures from employees runs counter to the need for transparency and encourages adherence to established guidelines, as employees must be aware of the