Which term is the formal written summary of the audit findings?

• A. Audit
• B. Audit Certificate
• C. Audit Trail
• D. Audit Report

Answer: (D)

The formal written summary of the audit findings is the audit report. This document communicates what was found during the audit, including observations, conclusions about compliance, and any corrective actions or recommendations. It typically records the audit scope, criteria, methodology, and key findings so management, sponsors, and regulatory bodies have a clear, official record of the results. An audit is the process itself, an audit trail is a chronological log of data and activity, and an audit certificate would imply a certification rather than a summary of findings.