# Audit Preparation

> Prepare for financial audits — document checklist, reconciliation review, internal control testing, timeline planning, and auditor communication. TRIGGER when: user says /audit-preparation, needs to prepare for a financial audit, or asks about audit readiness.

- Skill: `ashutoshsrivastava17/audit-preparation` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ashutoshsrivastava17/audit-preparation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ashutoshsrivastava17/audit-preparation/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security
- Author: ashutoshsrivastava17 (https://skillmd.com/u/ashutoshsrivastava17)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ashutoshsrivastava17/audit-preparation

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# Audit Preparation

## Process

### Step 1: Understand Audit Scope
| Element | Details |
|---------|---------|
| Audit type | External, internal, SOX, tax |
| Period | Fiscal year or specific dates |
| Auditor | Firm, lead partner |
| Timeline | Fieldwork dates, report deadline |
| Prior findings | Open items from previous audits |

### Step 2: Prepare Document Checklist
| Category | Documents | Status |
|----------|----------|--------|
| Financial statements | Trial balance, P&L, balance sheet | ☐ |
| Bank | Statements, reconciliations | ☐ |
| Revenue | Contracts, invoices, recognition schedules | ☐ |
| Expenses | AP aging, vendor invoices, approvals | ☐ |
| Payroll | Registers, tax filings | ☐ |
| Equity | Cap table, board resolutions | ☐ |
| Legal | Contracts, litigation matters | ☐ |

### Step 3: Complete Reconciliations
| Account | Reconciled | Variance | Explanation |
|---------|-----------|----------|------------|
| Cash | ☐ | $X | [reason] |
| Accounts receivable | ☐ | $X | [reason] |
| Accounts payable | ☐ | $X | [reason] |

### Step 4: Test Internal Controls
| Control | Test | Result |
|---------|------|--------|
| Segregation of duties | Review access | ✅/❌ |
| Approval workflows | Sample test | ✅/❌ |
| Journal entry review | Sample test | ✅/❌ |

### Step 5: Plan Auditor Interactions
| Meeting | Timing | Purpose |
|---------|--------|---------|
| Planning | 4 weeks before | Scope, focus areas |
| Fieldwork kickoff | Day 1 | Logistics, open items |
| Exit meeting | End | Findings, adjustments |

## Output Format
```markdown
## Audit Prep: [Type] — [Period]
### Document Status: [completion %]
### Reconciliations: [status table]
### Controls: [test results]
### Open Items: [prior findings]
```

## Quality Checklist
- [ ] All required documents identified and located
- [ ] Reconciliations completed with explanations
- [ ] Internal controls tested and documented
- [ ] Prior findings addressed
- [ ] Communication plan in place

## Edge Cases
- For first-time audits, expect longer timelines
- For SOX audits, focus on internal controls documentation
- If material weaknesses exist, prepare remediation plans proactively