Overview   

Preparing for an audit requires accurate accounting records, well-organised supporting documentation and thorough reconciliations to ensure that the audit process runs smoothly and efficiently. Understanding the auditor’s requirements and addressing potential issues before the audit begins can significantly reduce delays, minimise audit queries and improve the overall quality of financial reporting. This webinar will explore the key responsibilities of the bookkeeper in audit preparation, the documentation required across various trial balance areas, and practical strategies for ensuring that accounting records are audit-ready. 

Join Nestene Botha CA(SA) as she guides you through the audit preparation process, explaining what external auditors look for, how to prepare supporting schedules and documentation, and how to respond to audit queries effectively. The webinar will also explore common bookkeeping challenges that delay audits and demonstrate how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to streamline audit preparation while maintaining client data confidentiality and ensuring that all outputs are properly reviewed. 

Learning objectives  

By attending this webinar you will gain the following competencies: 

• Explain the role and responsibilities of an external auditor and understand how bookkeeping activities contribute to the audit process. 

• Identify the audit requirements for various trial balance areas and prepare the relevant supporting schedules and documentation. 

• Organise accounting records and supporting documents to ensure that transactions can be traced from the ledger to the underlying evidence. 

• Respond to audit queries accurately, professionally and timeously, providing appropriate supporting evidence. 

• Identify and resolve common bookkeeping issues that delay audits, and use AI tools responsibly to enhance audit preparation efficiency. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Understanding the audit process 

• Using AI to draft audit preparation timelines, explain audit requests and identify reconciliation discrepancies. 
• Automating the organisation of supporting documentation and audit request tracking. 
• Protecting client information and maintaining confidentiality when using AI tools. 
• Reviewing AI-generated outputs and ensuring accuracy, professional judgement and accountability. 
• Using AI to streamline audit preparation 
• Identifying common bookkeeping errors and unreconciled accounts that delay audits. 
• Resolving discrepancies between supporting schedules and the general ledger. 
• Preparing and applying a practical pre-audit checklist to ensure audit readiness. 
• Common audit delays and pre-audit preparation 
• Ensuring that transactions can be traced from the ledger to supporting documentation. 
• Maintaining and organising accounting records in accordance with relevant record-keeping requirements. 
• Responding to audit queries clearly, accurately and timeously. 
• Using audit request trackers to monitor outstanding items and responsibilities. 
• Organising audit evidence and responding to queries 
• Understanding the auditor’s key assertions: existence, completeness, cut-off and valuation. 
• Audit preparation requirements for property, plant and equipment, inventory, receivables, bank and cash balances, loans, payables and accruals. 
• Preparing supporting schedules and reconciliations for taxation, equity, revenue, expenses and payroll. 
• Ensuring that manual journals, year-end adjustments and accounting decisions are appropriately supported. 
• Preparing the trial balance and supporting documentation 
• The role of the external auditor and the responsibilities of management and bookkeepers. 
• The different stages of an audit: planning, fieldwork and finalisation. 
• Audit timelines and the importance of preparing accounting records ahead of year-end. 

Obtaining your CPD certificate 

This training is compliant with the International Education Standard (IES7) issued by the International Federation of Accountants and recognised for CPD by relevant professional bodies including ACCA, CIMA, IAC, IIA, SAICA and SAIPA. 

All attendees are issued with a CPD certificate available in an online profile.   

About the presenter 

Nestene Botha CA(SA)  

Nestene Botha completed her B.Com (Hons) at North West University in 2012. In 2014 she completed her professional articles and her Master's Degree in Chartered Accountancy. She then registered with SAICA as a Chartered Accountant in 2015.   

Nestene has lectured on the audit programme at the University of Cape Town. She started her own audit, tax & accounting practice which she has since grown into a reputable firm in the Table View area with 60 clients and two staff members. 

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Practising Bookkeepers. 

• Practising accountants including: CA(SA), Professional Accountant (SA), AGA(SA), FCCA, BAP(SA), BA(SA) and ACCA. 

• Trainee accountants. 

Price 

• R 265.00 - Online admission - Individual.  

  • Group Price 1 - From R184 per person (up to 5 users)  

  • Group Price 2 - From R121 per person (up to 10 users)  

  • Group Price 3 - From R109 per person (over 11 users)  

Steps to register for the event:  

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar. 

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar. 

Click here to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series). 

Click here to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options. 

Additional material 

By attending this webinar you will be provided with: 

• A summarised slide presentation. 

• Reference documents and/or course material where available. 

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar. 

Corporate training solutions  

At the Accounting Academy, we recognize the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in accounting and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.   

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.  

 Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at corporate@accountingacademy.co.za or call 010 593 0466. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals.  

Contact us    

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!  

• Online chat through our website.  

• WhatsApp: Start chatting (+27635026114)  

• Phone: 010 593 0466  

• E-mail: ticket@accountingacademy.co.za