Practical help — Opening the meeting
In many instances, for example internal audits in a small organization, the opening meeting may simply consist of
communicating that an audit is being conducted and explaining the nature of the audit.
For other audit situations, the meeting should be formal and records of the attendance should be kept. The meeting
should be chaired by the audit team leader, and the following items should be considered, as appropriate:
a) introduction of the participants, including an outline of their roles;
b) confirmation of the audit objectives, scope and criteria;
c) confirmation of the audit timetable and other relevant arrangements with the auditee, such as the date and
time for the closing meeting, any interim meetings between the audit team and the auditee's management, and
any late changes;
d) methods and procedures to be used to conduct the audit, including advising the auditee that the audit evidence
will only be based on a sample of the information available and that therefore there is an element of
uncertainty in auditing;
e) confirmation of formal communication channels between the audit team and the auditee;
f) confirmation of the language to be used during the audit;
g) confirmation that, during the audit, the auditee will be kept informed of audit progress;
h) confirmation that the resources and facilities needed by the audit team are available;
i) confirmation of matters relating to confidentiality;
j) confirmation of relevant work safety, emergency and security procedures for the audit team;
k) confirmation of the availability, roles and identities of any guides;
l) the method of reporting, including any grading of nonconformities;
m) information about conditions under which the audit may be terminated;
n) information about any appeal system on the conduct or conclusions of the audit.