Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Prasctice Exam

An audit report should contain which of the following?

1. Audit findings

2. Root cause analysis

3. Corrective action

4. Re-audit schedule

The correct answer is: Audit findings

The inclusion of audit findings in an audit report is essential because they summarize the results of the audit process. Audit findings consist of any discrepancies, non-conformities, or areas of improvement identified during the audit, providing a clear account of the current state of compliance against established standards or requirements. When documenting audit findings, it's important to provide evidence-backed information that supports the conclusions drawn, facilitating actionable insights for the organization. These findings help stakeholders understand where the processes are functioning well and where there may be weaknesses or risks that need to be addressed. While root cause analysis, corrective actions, and re-audit schedules are also significant components of the broader auditing process, they are typically detailed in subsequent steps or reports. Root cause analysis seeks to identify the underlying issues of audit findings, corrective actions address how to resolve the identified issues, and re-audit schedules outline future checks for compliance. However, the primary purpose of an initial audit report is to present the findings clearly and concisely, making them the cornerstone of the audit documentation.