An HR audit is an investigative, analytical, and comparative process that attempts to measure the effectiveness of the HR function. Like financial auditing, it involves compiling and analyzing data for an extended period (usually a year) to reveal how well or how poorly HR is performing. It also provides base-line data to improve the performance and productivity of the organization. The use of HR auditing has increased in recent years with the commitment to move HR from a support to a strategic function. HR auditing is vital to the importance of the HR function, but there is little correlation between the information in the audit and the overall effectiveness of the organization.