When meeting with management after an audit, what is the main goal?

The principal goal when meeting with management after an audit is to confirm the factual accuracy of the findings. This process is critical as it ensures that the issues identified during the audit are grounded in reality and that both the audit team and management are aligned in their understanding of the audit results. Establishing an accurate foundation of facts is essential before moving forward with any discussions about corrective actions or remediation plans.

Confirming the factual accuracy allows management to understand the context of the findings, assess their operational implications, and prepare for any subsequent actions needed to address the identified issues. Without this confirmation, there could be misunderstandings that might lead to ineffective or misguided actions later on.

Once accuracy is confirmed, management can then prioritize resolutions, consider corrective action plans, and engage in discussions about implementation. However, these activities come after ensuring the findings of the audit are clearly understood and acknowledged.