Comprehensive Concept Model for Management Auditing in SMEs

Abstract

The aim of this contribution is to present managers and owners of SMEs with a comprehensive concept for the preparation and implementation of a systemic approach to management auditing. The concept is presented in the form of a model called the “Systemic Approach to Management Audits”, as developed by the author. The principle behind the model is to conduct individual audit activities according to a predetermined order, as represented by a sub-model called “Advised Activities during Management Audits”. The model, or the application of a purposeful, standardized and, above all, systemic approach, was compiled on the basis of a two-phase questionnaire survey conducted in 2015/2016 and 2018/2019 among managers of SMEs, as well as guided interviews with professional auditors. The partial aim is to also highlight the relatively poor knowledge and implementation of management auditing in SMEs, and to encourage the use of the presented methodology by them.

Keywords

• sme
• management audit
• management audit phase
• audited areas
• management auditing activities
• systemic approach