Audit ServicesCirculation
Audit Checklist - Magazines
IMPORTANT:
If you use an outside fulfillment operation to maintain your records, they may submit these materials directly to ABC. Tell your fulfillment contact:
- That you are participating in ABC’s Audit Fast Track.
- The various methods on how to submit your audit data.
- A copy of the audit checklist is available on ABC's website.
- If they have questions regarding the checklist items, refer them to the section of this website providing data descriptions.
The audit checklist (Microsoft® Word® document) is intended to help you organize and track the audit data and documentation you need to prepare and submit for an ABC audit. It is also a key communication tool for you and your ABC auditors once the audit begins.
Each page identifies the priority that ABC needs to receive the data to maintain efficiency in completing the audit. The priorities are as follows:
- Essential
This is the data and documents that the auditor must have in order for ABC to begin your audit. Therefore, these items should be your foremost priority and be submitted first—as soon as they are complete and available. - Secondary
This is the data and documents that the auditor needs to complete your audit. The essential items should be your first priority. Once the essential items are submitted to ABC, you should make every effort to submit the secondary items as soon as they are complete and available. - As requested by the auditor
This is the additional information you may have to provide to the auditor during the course of the audit. Based on the circulation reported by your publication, the auditor may identify specific test periods or request supporting data or documentation to substantiate specific categories of your circulation.
You may not be familiar with all the data or documents listed on this audit checklist or you may use different terminology to refer to some of these items. Therefore, we have provided detailed descriptions and explanations for each item identified in this list. Please refer to data descriptions or click on the item listed in the checklist.
We have made every effort to standardize this list, however unique situations may arise during the course of the audit that require the auditor to request additional information from either you, an agent or the fulfillment operation you may use.
Submit data via the online tool Audit Survey – Data Collection.
You may provide several files at once by “zipping” them or submit each file separately.
- You need your online filing username and password to access this tool.
- Once you log in, click on the “Edit/Review” button to select the Publisher’s Statement period for which you will provide data.
- Scroll down to “Supporting Documentation” item and click the “Add” or “Add/Edit” button.
- In this next screen, click “Add” or “Add/Edit” button to attach a new file or set of zipped files.
- Click on “Browse” and attach the file from your computer (text, Excel or PDF files are preferred).
- Select the document type or select “Other.”
- Provide a unique description of the file.
- Click on “Save Changes” to save your data for your own review. Click “Save and Add” to actually submit the data to ABC.
If you don’t wish to submit your data online, refer to how to submit data for alternate instructions.
