The Holy Template

As an auditor, articled at a big 4 multinational, I have had, what I know understand, to have been a unique insight into arguably the most important and inevitably controversial profession of recent times. Auditing remains the backbone of the financial markets. Even cynical observers who are quick to comment about the actual relevance and efficiency of the service provided, paradoxically maintain a reverent belief in the deterrent and detective capability of auditors as the guardians of published financial-market information. Similarly auditors themselves are placed in the precarious and uncomfortable position of having to balance society’s expectations with the inevitable logistic nightmare and associated shortfalls involved in providing assurance on the financial results of a corporate entity which retails enough processed meat to circumvent Africa.

The auditors response to this conundrum, is a direct result of this internal conflict. A battle between the rational need to investigate, question and doubt versus the mechanical tendency to do as has always been done; and get it done. So, much like the religious person who embraces faith, when faced with a dichotomy as pervasive as that of evolution vs creation, the average auditor turns too towards a heart-wrenching faith that serves to reconcile this seeming contradiction between society’s external expectations and their own insider knowledge. However, unlike the all encompassing and non-specified (materially) faith of a religious observer, the faith of an auditor has a specific direction and focus. The auditor’s faith, like that of an idolater, has a material manifestation in ‘the template.’

The template ‘leads him not into temptation.’ It is a testing guide. A shining light. A path, through the minefield of society’s expectations and the inevitable logistical considerations’.

The template, like a holy book, is revealed to the auditor via the firms internet system. Downloaded onto his laptop and into his mind as a pillow onto which his conscience may rest. Described less frivolously: a template is a testing aid which indicates the extent of work deemed necessary, by the template maker, in order to obtain reasonable assurance over a specific type of account or a specific control. It is often, a macro-fuelled spreadsheet which determines audit sample sizes based on the nature of an account, its value and the client materiality.

However, this is merely the official definition. In reality this template, pervades the auditors’ consciousness much more whole heartedly than a mere aid. Like the master of his mind, the template harnesses his mental capacity and replaces it with a set of rigid and pre-defined guidelines. Guidelines which, regardless of circumstance or situation, are never subject to change.

To most, this rigidity may appear peculiar, or even render the template obsolete. The auditor however, embraces this rigidity as a pillar on which to lean, and yields from it a comfort surpassed not even by the glow of a warm hearth on a cold winter’s night.

And therein is where the contradiction lies. For this comfort is not real. It is predominantly the result of the human response to familiarity. Familiarity with the template. Faith which has grown out of repetition and habit. For what is real, cannot be contradicted. And, contradictions have been noted. Evidenced, by the many publicised scandals and countless others instances of uncertainty which remain the private knowledge of the auditor.

With time, these contradictions inevitably have an emotional effect on the average auditor. These failures of faith, result in feelings of insignificance, expose shortcomings and force introspection. These template-less moments, expose a corporate world too large and cumbersome for the mere auditor to comprehend. Fortunately, through a human-psychological response to uncertainty, this lack of confidence is restored and reconciled via a process of rationalisation and justification. And with that the concept of human error is introduced – ‘Perhaps the template was misapplied or misunderstood, or not followed at all’ – ‘That’s not our job anyway.’

And yet, as this template-questioning, world wondering occurs, the fortunate auditor receives help from a place least expected. For, before his tears have dried, a miracle is about to occur: The template is to be tweaked!

The tweaked template, like the first sunshine of spring, is a ray of hope. Ammunition to be deployed, faith-restored, on these seemingly impossible journeys that will undoubtedly be conquered: with ease, and a bit of overtime. And so, this walking paradox continues on his way. Laptop in hand and pencil behind the ear, confidently defying rational odds on his quest for ‘reasonable assurance.’