How to Perform a Contract Compliance Audit

A contract compliance audit plays a pivotal role in risk management, making sure your organization is adhering to your contractual obligations within an organization. That means it’s an essential aspect of effective contract lifecycle management.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at different types of compliance audits, and discover the benefits of making them standard parts of your contract review process. Then we’ll walk step-by-step through the process of conducting one. So let’s dive in!

What is a contract compliance audit?

A contract compliance audit is a systematic review you conduct to make sure your organization adheres to the terms outlined in its contracts. This type of audit plays a vital role in contract management by identifying discrepancies and areas where contractual obligations aren’t met.

Unlike other types of contract audits, which may focus on financial aspects of overall performance, a contract compliance audit specifically targets adherence to contract terms. It analyzes whether or not all parties involved are upholding their ends of the agreement — and why or why not.

This type of audit helps ensure compliance by pinpointing precisely where and how contractual obligations are being met or missed. It’s a process that’s integral in maintaining transparency and accountability in all business interactions, while supporting long-term risk management.

What’s the purpose of a contract compliance audit?

The primary purpose of a contract compliance audit is to ensure your organization complies with all contract terms. By thoroughly examining all contractual obligations, and the practices in place to meet these obligations, you can determine whether every party is fulfilling their responsibilities.

Identifying areas of non-compliance is another critical goal of compliance audits. Through detailed analysis, you can uncover aspects of the contract that are not being adhered to, so you can take timely corrective actions.

Compliance audits also reinforce the overall integrity of your contract management process. They provide valuable insights for continuous improvement, and help in refining internal controls, too.

Reactive vs. proactive contract compliance audits

Contract compliance audits fall into two broad categories, and it’s important to know the difference.

1. Reactive audits occur after you identify a problem or a breach in contract terms, serving as a response to an issue.
2. Proactive audits, on the other hand, are scheduled regularly, and aim to prevent problems before they arise, focusing on continuous compliance.

It’s worth noting that reactive audits can be costly and time-consuming, often leading to strained relationships with parties involved. Proactive audits, by contrast, help you maintain consistent internal controls, leading to cost savings and smoother contract management over time.

For example, a reactive audit might be conducted after a supplier fails to deliver goods on time, revealing areas of non-compliance in the process. A proactive audit, conversely, could involve regular reviews of supplier performance, identifying potential issues before they impact the bottom line.

Benefits of performing contract compliance audits

The benefits of performing regular contract compliance audits break out into four key areas:

• Cost savings and bottom line impact: By identifying and correcting areas of non-compliance, you reduce financial risks and potential penalties, directly impacting your bottom line positively.

• Strengthening internal controls: Regular audits help you strengthen your internal controls, ensuring that processes align with the set contractual obligations and compliance requirements.

• Improving relationships with other parties: Conducting compliance audits demonstrates your commitment to fair and transparent business practices, fostering trust and strengthening relationships with all parties involved.

• Healthier overall contract management: These audits contribute to the overall health of your contract lifecycle management, enabling better risk management, consistent compliance, and more efficient contract administration in the long term.

Step-by-step guide to performing contract compliance audits

Here’s a list of steps to get you started performing audits for contractual compliance.

1. Plan and prepare

• Define the scope and objectives of the audit.
• Gather all relevant contracts and supporting documents.
• Form an audit team with the necessary expertise.
• Schedule the audit at a time suitable for all parties involved.

2. Conduct the audit process

• Thoroughly examine the contract terms to understand all obligations and rights.
• Ensure you’re familiar with all deliverables, timelines, and performance standards.
• Compare current practices against the contract requirements.
• Document any discrepancies or failures in meeting contractual terms.
• Assess the effectiveness of internal processes in ensuring compliance.
• Identify any gaps or weaknesses in the current system.

3. Generate a report and follow up

• Compile a detailed audit report outlining findings and recommendations.
• Discuss the report with all relevant parties and agree on corrective actions.
• Schedule follow-up audits or reviews to ensure implementation of changes.

Best practices for contract compliance auditing

You’ll be able to stay ahead of the auditing process much more effectively, and manage your contract compliance in a proactive way, when you follow these best practices.

Regularly schedule proactive audits.

• Establish a regular schedule for conducting proactive audits.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks before they become issues.
• Use these audits as a tool for ongoing compliance monitoring.

Get all relevant stakeholders involved.

• Engage all relevant stakeholders in the audit process.
• Foster open communication and transparency with everyone involved.
• Ensure that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities in the audit.

Review and look for areas to improve.

• Regularly review and update the audit process for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Use audit findings to strengthen and refine internal controls.
• Embrace a culture of continuous improvement in compliance practices.

Integrate into your overall contract management process.

• Align the audit process with other aspects of contract lifecycle management.
• Use insights from audits to inform contract negotiations and renewals.
• Ensure that the audit process supports strategic objectives in contract management.

Contract compliance audits not only safeguard against risks, but also enhance your relationships with other stakeholders. Implementing the best practices and steps outlined in this guide will lead to improved compliance, cost savings, and a stronger bottom line.

Streamline your contract processes today, with Concord.

Try for free