FAQs
About Audit Fast Track
- Why did ABC launch Audit Fast Track?
The largest influence on ABC’s decision to launch Audit Fast Track was the increased use of and reliance on digital technologies. Originally, the role of the on-site auditor was to review records and gather information. With digital technologies and secure transmission methods, the majority of the records and information needed to complete an audit can easily be submitted to ABC for review at an off-site location.
By using technology to our advantage and shifting audits away from the publisher’s office to an ABC-managed location, we are able to offer many benefits to our members, including reduced audit preparation time, limited audit intrusiveness, controlled audit costs and increased audit timeliness.
- Are all ABC audits conducted outside of the publisher’s office?
The vast majority of ABC’s 2,200 audits are conducted at an ABC-managed location. The exceptions to this rule are major metropolitan newspaper audits, TMC audits and non-paid magazine audits. These publications submit a significant portion of their audit documentation to ABC via online tools, FTP sites, postal mail or faxes. However, due to the complexity of these audits, auditors still need to spend some time at the publication’s location.
- Is this program intended for all ABC publishers in the U.S. and Canada?
Yes, Audit Fast Track is available in both the U.S. and Canada, and applies to daily and weekly newspapers, consumer magazines, and business and farm publications. Metropolitan newspapers, TMC newspapers and non-paid magazines will notice minimal changes as a result of this initiative. More of your audit documentation will be submitted to ABC for review at an off-site location, but due to the complexity of the audits, an auditor will still spend some time at your office.
- What are the benefits for me as a publisher?
Audit Fast Track provides you with a better, faster, more efficient audit. There are many benefits of conducting the audit at an ABC-managed location, including:
- Reduced and restructured audit preparation time – Audit Fast track allows you to prepare and submit audit documentation to ABC at your convenience without an auditor waiting in your office. In fact, you will be encouraged to submit records as they are available instead of waiting for the close of the audit period.
- Limit audit intrusiveness – Auditors no longer work in your office for days or weeks at a time, freeing up your staffs’ time for other projects.
- Improved efficiencies using technology – Technologies such as secure FTP sites and ABC’s online tools like Audit QuickLink and the periodical online survey forms provide many opportunities for you to expedite your data to ABC. These tools also include built-in controls to ensure that your data is accurate and in the appropriate format which helps limit the back and forth between ABC auditors and your circulation staff.
- Are there any cost savings for publications participating in this initiative?
The cost savings associated with Audit Fast Track are mostly internal and directly related to the reduction in the amount of time and effort it takes your staff to prepare for and manage the audit process. In fact, our members who previously relied on a similar centralized audit program with ABC report that the biggest benefits relate to the efficiency, ease and “painless” audit approach.
- Is this mandatory for all ABC publisher members?
It is our expectation that most eligible circulation audits use the Audit Fast Track model. For major metropolitan newspaper audits, TMC audits and non-paid magazine audits, ABC auditors will spend some time at the publisher’s office, although this time will be greatly reduced.
Throughout the course of ABC’s more than 2,200 audits, circumstances may arise that require either on-site review or testing. We expect that these visits will be the exception rather than the rule.
Submitting Data
- What resources are available to help members navigate this new process?
ABC hosts numerous educational documents on its website, including an audit preparation checklist, how to submit your audit data, and descriptions of data elements.
- Does data and information need to be submitted in a standardized form?
- Can I submit all of my data electronically?
Absolutely. ABC encourages publishers to utilize the Audit QuickLink tool, the magazine survey tool, as well as other forms of electronic transmission of data such as FTP sites. In this day and age, going “green” is important and more efficient for the audit process.
- If I send in original copies, will they be returned?
If you request that documents be returned to you, ABC will make every effort to accommodate that request. However, we do suggest that you don’t send original documents and that you maintain copies and records of everything you submit.
- How much information do I need to supply for the audit?
The information you typically supply to the auditor has not changed. Information is transmitted electronically or physically mailed to an ABC-managed location. If you are able to generate electronic data extracts from your system, this may significantly reduce the amount of hard-copy documentation that you supply to ABC.
- How often do I send information to ABC?
Auditors are in regular contact with publishers and work together to receive information as it is needed.
- Does ABC acknowledge the receipt of my information?
Yes. There is regular contact with the auditor to ensure there are not any outstanding requests, or questions that go unanswered.
- Do I have to send in financial/sensitive information?
As part of the normal audit process, several pieces of information are requested. Some of that information is sensitive financial data.
- How do I know my data is secure?
ABC has a documented security protocol that is available for publishers to review. Publishers should be confident that all data—both electronic and hard copies—are housed in secure locations.
About the Audit
- Do I have to file Publisher's Statements?
Yes, you must submit six-month Publisher’s Statements.
- Will I be audited every year? Or every other year?
Yes, the audit frequency that applies to your publication is still in place. The change is in the audit location, not in the frequency of the audit.
- Am I assigned an auditor, like I have my TRRP team, audit manager and Publisher Relations manager?
Yes, you are assigned an auditor. You will be in regular contact with your assigned auditor during the course of the audit period.
- Are audits released sooner?
One important goal of this initiative is to accelerate the release of audits, which will be done using in-period testing.
- When should I hear from an auditor?
Your auditor and audit manager will be in contact with you throughout the audit period.
- I'm already fulfillment/centralized? Does that change?
No, that does not change. In fact, ABC is using its experience at fulfillment locations, as well as newspapers currently using centralized audit process as a cornerstone for the Audit Fast Track initiative.
- Does my audit cycle change?
No, your audit cycle should not change. There may be some unique instances, where at the request of the publisher, ABC will accommodate a request to change audit cycles. This is a practice currently in place and is not something that happens often.
- What does in-period testing mean?
Rather than waiting for the audit period to end and then beginning testing, testing is conducted as the records are available. This facilitates the release of the ABC audit on a more timely basis.
- How do I know how much time is spent conducting my audit?
The auditor continues to perform the audit functions that are essential to ABC’s gold standard audits. The audit functions have not changed, only the physical location of the audit.
- Do I receive frequent updates regarding the status of my audit?
Absolutely. The audit manager and auditor are in regular contact with publishers to ensure the audit process moves along smoothly and timely.
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