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GAO-03-673G Government Auditing Standards > Chapter 8 Reporting Standards for Performance Audits > Form
8.02 The reporting standard related to the form of the report for performance audits performed in accordance with GAGAS is:
Auditors should prepare audit reports communicating the results of each audit.
8.03 The form of the audit report should be appropriate for its intended use, but should be written or in some other retrievable form. Auditors should use their professional judgment including consideration of users’ needs, likely demand, and distribution in determining the form of the audit report. In addition to a more formal presentation of audit results, such as a chapter report or a letter report, briefing slides may be considered audit reports. Audit reports also may be presented on electronic media that are retrievable by report users and the audit organization, such as video or compact disc formats. However, regardless of form, audit reports should comply with all applicable reporting standards.
8.04 This standard is not intended to limit or prevent discussion of findings, judgments, conclusions, and recommendations with persons who have responsibilities involving the area being audited. On the contrary, such discussions are encouraged.
8.05 Audit reports (1) communicate the results of audits to officials at various levels of government, (2) make the results less susceptible to misunderstanding, (3) make the results available for public inspection, and
(4) facilitate follow-up to determine whether appropriate corrective actions have been taken. The need to maintain public accountability for government programs demands that audit reports be retrievable.
8.06 If an audit is terminated before it is completed but the auditors do not issue an audit report, auditors should follow the requirements in paragraph 7.40.
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