An audit program sets out the nature, timing and extent of planned audit procedures required to implement the overall audit plan. Audit programmes consists of are a list of the audit objectives and the audit procedures to be performed by audit staff in order to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence and to be able to form a conclusion on the relevant account balance or event. The procedures consist of an appropriate mix of tests of control and substantive procedures based on the planned audit approach for each material financial statement assertion.
The program will also serve as a means of monitoring and co-ordinating the progress of an audit. The programme should be designed with columns alongside each procedure for staff members to enter their initials and date of completion of the performance of each procedure and to note the reference of the working paper detailing the results of the tests performed and conclusions drawn.
