Example response for question delving into Presentation Skills, Auditing with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

•  Background & Context: Briefly explain the audit project and the purpose of presenting findings to senior management
•  Preparation & Planning: Describe how you prepared for the presentation, including gathering and analyzing data, identifying key findings, and organizing the information
•  Presentation Delivery: Explain how you presented the audit findings, including the format used (e.g., PowerPoint, report), the structure of the presentation, and any visual aids or supporting documentation used
•  Key Findings: Highlight the main audit findings that were presented to senior management, focusing on the most significant issues or areas of concern
•  Analysis & Interpretation: Discuss how you analyzed and interpreted the audit findings, including identifying root causes, potential risks, and their impact on the organization
•  Recommendations & Action Plan: Explain the recommendations you made to senior management based on the audit findings, including any proposed actions or improvements to address the identified issues
•  Engagement & Communication: Describe how you engaged with senior management during the presentation, including addressing their questions or concerns, and ensuring their understanding and buy-in
•  Outcome & Follow-up: Summarize the outcome of the presentation, such as any decisions or actions taken by senior management, and mention any follow-up activities or monitoring conducted
•  Lessons Learned: Reflect on the experience and discuss any lessons learned or improvements you would make for future presentations of audit findings to senior management

  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

•  Communication skills: Assessing your ability to effectively present complex audit findings to senior management
•  Leadership skills: Evaluating your confidence and ability to handle senior management interactions
•  Analytical skills: Understanding your capability to analyze and interpret audit data for senior management
•  Problem-solving skills: Determining your approach in addressing any challenges or issues identified during the audit

  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

•  Lack of preparation: Not being able to provide specific details or examples of the audit findings or the presentation itself
•  Poor communication skills: Difficulty in clearly explaining the audit findings or using technical jargon that senior management may not understand
•  Lack of confidence: Appearing unsure or hesitant while discussing the audit findings or lacking conviction in the recommendations provided
•  Inability to handle questions: Struggling to answer follow-up questions or not being able to provide satisfactory responses to queries from senior management
•  Negative attitude towards senior management: Displaying any signs of disrespect or criticism towards senior management while discussing the audit findings
•  Inability to prioritize key findings: Failing to highlight the most critical audit findings or not being able to prioritize them effectively
•  Lack of impact assessment: Not discussing the potential impact of the audit findings on the organization or failing to provide recommendations for improvement
•  Inability to adapt communication style: Not adjusting the communication style to suit the audience or using technical terms without providing explanations
•  Lack of teamwork: Not mentioning collaboration with other team members or taking sole credit for the audit findings and presentation
•  Inconsistent or contradictory information: Providing conflicting details or contradicting oneself while discussing the audit findings or the presentation process

 Related

  Other questions asked for the Auditor in Finance function. View details for the Auditor here

• What is your experience in conducting risk assessments for audit planning?
• Tell me about your experience in conducting financial audits.
• Explain the process you follow to gather evidence during an audit.
• What is your approach to evaluating internal controls?
• How do you ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations?
• What auditing software or tools are you familiar with?
• Describe a time when you identified a financial risk during an audit and how you addressed it.
• Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult client during an audit.
• Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a discrepancy in financial records.
• How do you communicate audit findings to stakeholders?
• Describe a time when you had to work with a team to complete an audit project.
• How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure in the audit process?
• Explain the steps you take to ensure the confidentiality of audit information.
• How do you ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the audit process?
• Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict within an audit team.
• How do you stay updated with changes in accounting regulations and standards?
• How do you prioritize and manage multiple audit assignments?
• Tell me about a time when you discovered fraud or unethical behavior during an audit.
• What steps do you take to ensure the accuracy of financial statements?