Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) Practice Exam

What approach is typically taken when developing an annual audit plan?

1. Focus solely on management preferences

2. Ignore stakeholder input

3. Engage with the client’s management for insights

4. Limit to statutory obligations only

The correct answer is: Engage with the client’s management for insights

Engaging with the client’s management for insights is a fundamental approach when developing an annual audit plan because it ensures that the audit is aligned with the organization’s objectives and risks. By involving management, auditors can gather valuable information about the organization’s operations, potential areas of concern, and other risk factors that may not be readily apparent from a distance. This collaboration fosters a better understanding of the internal processes, allowing auditors to prioritize areas that may require a more thorough examination. Moreover, management can provide insights into changes within the organization, including new programs, operational shifts, or external factors that could impact risk assessments. This engagement not only enhances the relevance of the audit but also helps build a cooperative relationship between the audit team and management, which can facilitate smoother audits and more effective recommendations. In contrast, focusing solely on management preferences or limiting the audit plan to statutory obligations would undermine the comprehensiveness of the audit, potentially dismissing critical areas that may not be governed strictly by law or regulations. Ignoring stakeholder input would similarly diminish the audit's value, as it overlooks the perspectives and concerns of those affected by the audit outcomes. Thus, engaging management is essential for crafting a robust and effective annual audit plan.