Which of the following is NOT one of the seven steps in the planning phase of an AML audit?

The planning phase of an AML audit involves several critical steps aimed at ensuring a thorough and effective evaluation of the audited entity's compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. One of the seven steps is to understand the audited entity's business, which is essential for auditors to comprehend the context in which the entity operates. Additionally, reviewing previous audit findings allows auditors to identify areas of concern or improvement that might be relevant to the current audit. Determining audit plan procedures is also a vital part of the planning phase, as it sets the framework for how the audit will be conducted, including the methodologies and tools that will be utilized.

Delivering the audit findings to stakeholders, however, is not part of the planning phase; it occurs after the audit is conducted and the findings have been analyzed. This stage involves communicating the results of the audit, often through reports and presentations, to ensure that stakeholders are informed of the compliance status and any issues that need to be addressed. Thus, this step is distinctly post-audit and not a planning activity.