Tip of the Month: Creating Custom Fields on Audit Procedures in an Audit Project (v11.4.0)
November 29, 2024
Did You Know?
Version 11.4.0 introduces the ability for auditors to configure additional BarnOwl fields to match the columns in sample test data (Excel) during audits and testing. This enhancement allows auditors to capture, import, or copy sample data along with its associated fields (columns) into BarnOwl. As a result, final audit reports can display sample results with all related fields. This feature greatly enhances the flexibility and efficiency of importing sample data.
In previous versions, custom fields had to be setup in SMC (Server Management Console) in advance and could not be changed (add, edit, delete) in an audit project.
Five (5) simple steps to using Audit Procedure Tests with custom fields in an Audit Project
Step 1: Create custom fields on an audit procedure in an audit project
Step 2: Capture / Import / Copy sample data with associated fields (columns)
Step 3: Analyse test results
Step 4: Rate risks & controls based on test results (risk & control based auditing)
Step 5: Extract audit reports including test results
Step 1: Create custom fields on an audit procedure in an audit project
Audit procedures are generally linked to controls and are pulled through automatically with the selected control. You can however search the library for audit procedures and / or capture new audit procedures in your audit project. Audit procedures can be saved locally in your audit project so they do not affect the audit procedure elsewhere in the system. (I.e any changes to the audit procedure are local to the audit project and are not global). Global changes to audit procedures can however be made in the ERM library by an administrator.
FIG1.1: View the Audit Procedure (e.g. ‘Remuneration Survey AP’)
FIG1.2: Edit the Audit Procedure (‘Remuneration Survey AP’)
FIG1.3.1: Add ‘Ad-Hoc’ custom fields to the Audit Procedure (‘Remuneration Survey AP’)
Click on ‘Ad-Hoc Fields’ and right click on the white space to add custom fields:
FIG1.3.2: Create custom fields with the relevant field type (E.g. alphanumeric text box for ‘Employee name’)
FIG1.3.3: Create custom fields with the relevant field type (E.g. combo box for ‘Employee grade’)
Step 2 – Capture / Import / Copy samples with associated fields (columns)
FIG2.1: Import or Capture or Copy/Paste samples including associated fields
FIG2.2: Automatic findings are raised for samples, which fail the test/s
BarnOwl can be set up to automatically generate standard findings for failed tests. These findings can include pre-populated fields with standardised wording to help ensure consistency. Additionally, the associated failed samples are attached to the findings. Findings can also be raised manually.
Step 3: Analyse test results
FIG3.1: Result summary
FIG3.2: Result register (showing custom fields)
Step 4: Rate risks & controls based on test results (risk & control based auditing)
FIG4.1: % compliance of test results provides an informed decision when rating control effectiveness and residual risk rating
Step 5: Extract reports including test results
FIG5.1: BarnOwl ‘dashboard’ extract showing test results
FIG5.2: BarnOwl Word report configured with test results
In addition to BarnOwl’s built-in reporting, custom reports (using SSRS with export to Word) can be developed on a quotation basis.
Conclusion
Version 11.4.0 introduces the ability for auditors to configure additional BarnOwl fields to match the columns in sample test data (Excel) during audits and testing. This enhancement allows auditors to capture, import, or copy sample data along with its associated fields (columns) into BarnOwl. As a result, final audit reports can display sample results with all related fields. This feature greatly enhances the flexibility and efficiency of importing sample data.
Useful links
BarnOwl Online help on Custom Fields
About BarnOwl
BarnOwl is a fully integrated governance, risk management, compliance and audit software solution used by over 150 blue-chip organisations. BarnOwl is a locally developed software solution and is the preferred risk management solution for the South African public sector supporting the National Treasury risk framework. Please see www.barnowl.co.za for more information.
