Olivia's World | When auditors attack!

I have been so busy today that I had no idea when 2pm rolled around (my lunchtime), nor when it became 5:45 (time to go!). Last week was one of the slowest work weeks I have ever had; I didn't have too much too do so time seemed to drag on. I figured this week would be busy but not like this.

The past few weeks we've auditors in the building. I had no idea which departments they were actually here to audit. Well, I found out. The first group that came through was doing accounts payable (my job, but mostly last year's stuff). They also talked a little about accounts receivable (also my job) just to get a feel of the entire accounting process.

The VCCS auditors here now are here strictly for billing/receivable/collections. I spent most of the morning pulling files for one lady. And now, I get to put them all back! Yay me! After lunch today I was descended upon by two other auditors wanting to talk about procedures for doing the bank deposits. That seemed to take forever. I bet tomorrow they'll have a list of files for me to pull as well.

This is my first contact with auditors. It's kinda scary even if you think you've done everything to the best of your ability and knowledge you're still afraid they'll find something to pin on you. And I know they're not looking for faults in one persons work, but an overall 'is the process working' kind of thing. The problem with that is there are little to no procedures/policies on many things here. Yeh, seems a little shady. But its not, it's just laziness on a lot of peoples parts. Waddya do??

I know! Go home!

...or become the one who writes the documentation on how things should be. We had a similar situation in Development where stuff wasn't documented and explained. Our customers had the same questions again and again. ...and back when I gave a shit, I decided to do something about it and start writing about what did what, what that button does, etc.

From one hand, it's a bunch of tedious work. The other side of that is that it really gets you involved in the process (more than you already are, if you can believe that) and is really appreciated by those who come after you.

I'm finding that no matter what, people just don't read manuals. Even if you provide it to them in HTML, PDF, DOC, TXT, email, printout, powerpoint....

Posted by: Brian on January 14, 2003 11:15 AM

I prefer all my manuals to be written in the global language of love..... TRS-80 Basic.

100 clear

110 print "chris is kewl!"

120 goto 100

heh heh.....

Posted by: Top on January 14, 2003 11:25 AM

I think I sort of know the feeling, Olivia. Same thing happens to a hospital when the "big, bad" Joint Commission gang comes around once every few years to do their survey to re-accredit the hospital. They spend time on the nursing floors, grill everyone with questions about policy and procedure, the place has to be spotless and without a flaw (more or less!). Everyone is so stressed out because they're there and they feel like they're being watched like a hawk. And then when they leave things go back to normal! Whew. I HATE those times of year. I think it's Henrico Doctors' turn coming up in the spring...

Posted by: Jennifer on January 14, 2003 12:38 PM

January 13, 2003When auditors attack!