External Auditor Onboarding Checklist

External Auditor Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new External Auditor starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Accounting onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new External Auditor, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample External Auditor onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

External Auditor Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the company: The new external auditor should be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the company, including its history, mission, values, organizational structure, and key stakeholders. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.

2. Familiarization with company policies and procedures: The external auditor should be given access to the company’s policies and procedures manual, which outlines important guidelines and protocols related to auditing, financial reporting, ethics, and confidentiality. This task is usually performed by the HR department or the audit department.

3. Review of relevant industry regulations and standards: The new auditor should be provided with resources and training materials to familiarize themselves with the relevant industry regulations and standards, such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This task is typically performed by the audit department or a designated training coordinator.

4. Introduction to the audit team: The new auditor should be introduced to their colleagues within the audit team, including the audit manager, senior auditors, and other team members. This task is usually performed by the audit manager or a designated team leader.

5. Allocation of audit assignments: The new auditor should be assigned specific audit engagements or projects based on their skills, experience, and availability. This task is typically performed by the audit manager or a designated resource manager.

6. Training on audit methodologies and tools: The new auditor should receive training on the company’s audit methodologies, tools, and software systems used for conducting audits, documenting workpapers, and generating reports. This task is usually performed by the audit department or a designated training coordinator.

7. Shadowing experienced auditors: The new auditor should have the opportunity to shadow experienced auditors during fieldwork or client meetings to gain practical insights into the audit process and client interactions. This task is typically arranged by the audit manager or a designated mentor.

8. Review of prior audit reports: The new auditor should review prior audit reports and working papers to understand the company’s audit history, key findings, and areas of focus. This task is typically performed by the audit department or a designated knowledge management team.

9. Introduction to key clients and stakeholders: The new auditor should be introduced to key clients and stakeholders, such as the company’s management team, board of directors, and external regulatory bodies. This task is usually performed by the audit manager or a designated client relationship manager.

10. Ongoing professional development: The new auditor should be encouraged to participate in professional development activities, such as attending seminars, webinars, or obtaining relevant certifications, to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of auditing. This task is typically supported by the audit department or a designated training coordinator

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example External Auditor checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new External Auditor up to speed and working well in your Accounting team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.