Kaddy walked into her first audit meeting expecting an interrogation. It was closer to a planning session.
Most owners dread this meeting because they don’t know what to expect. Knowing the shape of it in advance takes most of the anxiety out.
What Typically Gets Covered
- The scope of the audit — what’s being reviewed, and what isn’t
- A timeline, so you know what’s due and when
- What documents and records the auditor will need from you
- Who on your team will be the main point of contact
- Any areas the auditor already flags as needing extra attention
How to Walk in Prepared
- Bring a list of any known issues or irregularities upfront
- Have your chart of accounts and recent financial statements ready
- Know who on your staff can answer questions about specific transactions
Why This Meeting Matters More Than It Seems
This first conversation shapes how smoothly everything after it goes. Auditors who get clear answers and organized records upfront move faster. Vague answers or missing context here tend to slow the whole process down later, and often lead to more follow-up requests than necessary.
Kaddy left that first meeting with a clear list of what to prepare and by when. No surprises after that.
What to Bring Versus What to Send Ahead
Not everything needs to be printed and carried in. Chart of accounts, prior-year statements, and any policy documents can usually be shared ahead of time, so the meeting itself focuses on questions and clarifications rather than paperwork handoffs.
Save the meeting time for the things that actually need a conversation: unusual transactions, judgment calls on how something was recorded, or context an auditor couldn’t get from documents alone.
Kaddy’s second audit went even faster than her first, mostly because she now knows exactly what to send ahead and what to save for the room. That head start shaved nearly a week off the total timeline.
Getting ready for your first audit meeting? JS Morlu preps your business so that first conversation goes smoothly. Talk to our team.