noun / verb
audit
AW-dit/ˈɔːdɪt/
An official check of records or compliance with requirements.
An independent team conducts an audit of the charity's financial records.
Etymology
A “hearing” became an examination of accounts because checking accounts was originally an oral procedure. The modern audit retains the checking function without requiring that records be presented aloud.
In context
there's no independent audit of political parties. So political parties are not their accounts are not subject to any kind of independent scrutiny by a third party.
More examples
- The inspectors audited the factory's safety procedures.
- A routine audit uncovered several missing receipts.
- They are auditing the accounts before issuing the annual report.
Forms
audit · audits · audited · auditing
auditor noun — Someone who formally checks records or operations.
Similar words
- inspection
- Often checks physical conditions rather than records or compliance systems.
- review
- May be less formal and less systematic than an audit.