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Do you know how to handle difficult audit customers?

During my long career in external and internal audit ,I have always managed to handle all types of audit customers: the easy going ones and the difficult ! My experience covers many countries and many cultures .My secret is very simple , I follow these steps:1. Know the person : Before starting and audit assignment ,invest some time to learn about the key person you will be dealing with .Know about his/her educational background , career history ,family status, interests ..etc.2. Find a common interest : There must be something in common to talk about between you and the person you will be dealing with .It could be family values, sports ,travel or any other areas of interest .Use this as a door opener .I encourage you to spend few minutes talking about it when you first meet with him/her . Word of caution : never discuss politics or religion and if the subject is raised be neutral ! People are different and each one needs a personalized approach .3. Explain why you are performing the Audit : Always explain the objectives of the audit in advance and what you expect to achieve . You have to send a clear message that you are doing what you are hired to do and that in the process you wish that it will be a mutually beneficial and enjoyable experience !4. Be Professional & Patient : No matter how difficult the audit customer is ,always behave in a professional manner and be patient .Your professionalism will pave the way towards a healthy relationship across the organisation . And finally ,I am a strong believer of the saying: If there is a will ,there is a way . My4 P's for work : Professionalism Patience Persistence Personalisation Please share your experience !

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Question added by Deleted user
Date Posted: 2013/07/27
Waqayan Al Waqayan
by Waqayan Al Waqayan , Secretary of Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB) , Ahli United Bank (AUB)

This is critical issue.
It depends on the skill and experience of the auditor, each auditor has his own way to handle it and each customer needs a special treatment for auditing him.

Saad Kapadia FCA - CIA - CFE - CISA - CRMA-FMVA
by Saad Kapadia FCA - CIA - CFE - CISA - CRMA-FMVA , Head Of Internal Audit , Cenomi Centers - Joint Stock Company

It is not always easy to convey objectives of Audit to each and every employee of Organization for getting the information, as in their perception, Audit is just adding more work in their existing busy schedule.
However, as rightly said, making and maintaining good relationship with audit client will ease the flow of information and hence aid in finalizing the engagement in efficient and effective way.

Indika Hemachandra
by Indika Hemachandra , Senior Accountant , Emerchemie NB (Ceylon) Limited

An audior has to deals with various kind of clients & customers. Therefore auditor should have a proper audit plan before start the audit. Thats include gather information about client & sector, Identyfy controls & inherent risks, select methodologies & finalize the audit programe. 

Experience & qilities of the auditor also matters. 

Shahul Hameed
by Shahul Hameed , Accountant AR , Amana Home Healthcare LLC

So in order to achieve that, following are the various ways you can adopt to deal with difficult customers as an accounting firm.
  1. Listen To What Client Says. Clients get angry because they face challenges. ...
  2. Acknowledge and Apologize. ...
  3. Understand The Problem By Asking Questions. ...
  4. Come Up With Creative Solutions. ...
  5. Follow Up.

Michael Magdy
by Michael Magdy , Chief accountant , speed trade

مفهوم المراجعة بالنسبة لي بشكل بسيط هو في اطار المراجعة الداخلية : اولا: التاكد من صلاحية استخدام الدورة المستندية لمعرفة القصور ان وجد و التعرف علي انواع المستندات المستخدمة ثانيا: التاكد من ادخال كافة البيانات و المستندات بشكل صحيح ثالثا: مراجعة التقارير و القوائم طبقا لمعايير المراجعة في اطار مراجعة التقارير و القوائم : اذا كان هناك تقريرين او اكثر تم اعدادهم بطرق مختلفة و لهم نفس النتائج - يمكن اعتماد النتيجة اذا كان هناك تقرير او كشف تم اعدادة بطريقة واحدة يتم مراجعتة اما بعملة مرة اخري بنفس الطريقة او اخذ عينات منة و مراجعتها للتاكد من صلاحية التقرير او الكشف خالص تحياتي ,,,

SHATHA ALAYASA
by SHATHA ALAYASA , محلل عمليات انتاجية , شركة صناعة التعليب

One of the best things to work on with the auditor is to direct him towards things that I trust in the correctness of which I do not have problems, and try to distract him from the problems that may appear to us during the audit process, and self-confidence during the audit process gives a sense of the correctness and safety of all our procedures.

Ashish Toms
by Ashish Toms , Assistant Manager- MIS (Investments) at Landmark Group , Landmark Group

In my experience the major hurdle any auditor faces is the non cooperation of the client or staff. They have an opinion the auditors are there to find faults with them. Therefore it is very important to make it clear to them that we do not have any preconceived notion that they have committed errors or frauds.

Then if it is the management explain to them that audit might be helpful in finding facts which due to the large nature of transactions they themselves may not have found.

In case of employees, ask them don't you want to be able to stand with your head held up high knowing that you have done what you were expected to do. We provide that certification.

Super Cop
by Super Cop , SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR,CASHIER,BILLING , LUCKY GROUPS OF COMPANIES

 Purchase Documents. · Emergency Drill and Safety Meeting Records.

PRIYA SAHU
by PRIYA SAHU , Tax Associate , S P DARA & ASSOCIATES

During the Audit time Some Customer were Diffcult to handle than we have to work patienly and try to understand the client perspective for the Audit. Than work according to our method and fully Coordinate with client and accomplish the audit work properly. 

Ihssan Alawneh
by Ihssan Alawneh , Customer Service Team Leader , Ikea - Kuwait

العميل الصعب وهوا غير مقتنع في العمليه ولكن اذ اشرحت عن العمليه وجاوبات على اسءله 

رح يقتنع 

ezzatsaeedsiddiqui siddqiqui
by ezzatsaeedsiddiqui siddqiqui , Head , Rajhi Aviation

True and fair view in auditing means that the financial statements are free from material misstatements and faithfully represent the financial performance and position of the entity.

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