The Ethics Audit
-An ethics audit is a systematic evaluation of an organization’s ethics program and performance to determine whether it is effective.
-Ethics auditing is similar to financial auditing in that it employs similar procedures and processes. Like an accounting audit, someone with expertise from outside the organization may conduct an ethics audit.
-Although the standards used in financial auditing can be adapted to provide an objective foundation for ethics reporting, there are significant differences between the two audit types.
-Whereas financial auditing focuses on all systems related to money flow and on financial assessments , ethics auditing deals with the internal and broad external impact of the organization’s ethical performance.
Benefits of Ethics Auditing
-For organizations, one of greatest benefits of the auditing process is improved relationships with stakeholders who desire greater transparency.
The Auditing Process
-Many questions should be addressed when conducting an audit, such as …..
- how broad the audit should be,
- what standards of performance should be applied,
- how often the audit should be conducted,
- whether and how the audit’s results should be reported to stakeholders,
- and what actions should be taken in response to audit results
Framework for an Ethics Audit
-Secure commitment of top managers and board of directors.
-Establish a committee to oversee the ethics audit.
-Define the scope of the audit process, including subject matter areas important to the ethics audit.
-Review the organization’s mission, policies, goals, and objectives and define its ethical priorities.
-Collect and analyze relevant information in each designated subject matter area.
-Have the results verified by an independent agent.
-Report the findings to the audit committee and, if approved, to managers and stakeholders.