What is the main purpose of a procurement audit?
Ideally, a procurement audit systematically reviews an organization’s procurement processes and related activities. An ideal procurement audit evaluates a procurement function’s compliance, effectiveness, efficiency, risk management, transparency, and accountability.
The main objectives of a procurement audit are to help ensure that:
- All procurement activities abide by the established procedures, policies, guidelines, laws, and contractual terms.
- The procurement function is achieving its strategic and business objectives through a procurement strategy, such as maximizing cost savings, improving supplier relationships, and more.
- All resources are utilized optimally with a streamlined process and zero waste or delays.
- The current risk strategy is capable of identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential procurement risks effectively.
- All procurement decisions and transactions are transparent, justifiable, and well-documented.