Achievement of the many benefits that can accrue to an effective audit depends on proper and thorough planning of the audit engagement. The scope and the objective of the audit must be understood and accepted by both the auditor and the area being audited. Once the purpose for the audit is clearly defined, the audit plan can be created, which will encapsulate the agreed scope, objectives and procedures needed to obtain evidence that is relevant, reliable and sufficient to draw and support audit conclusions and opinions.