If you’ve been managing audits with outdated tools like spreadsheets and email chains, it’s time to level up. Would is shock you to find out you can effectively get free audit software by simply passing on the cost of a first class solution. Audit management software can significantly improve efficiency and accuracy during audits. But here’s the big question: Why should your organization pay for the software when your audit firm stands to benefit just as much?
In fact, it’s entirely reasonable to ask your auditor to cover the cost of audit software or provide a discount equivalent to its cost. OK, so that isn’t free audit software, but it is effectively the same thing. This approach ensures your team gets access to modern audit software at no additional expense while still reaping year-round benefits. Here’s how you can make it happen. And, yes, it is easy to get your audit tools effectively free.
Before you cast doubt, let it be know that this is tried and tested. We have had customers deduct software costs from their audit costs with well-known firms such as RSM and Moss-Adams. Now, let us get into the details.
Why Should Your Auditor Cover the Cost?
1. Streamlined Audits Benefit Everyone
Dash360’s audit software simplifies workflows for both internal teams and external auditors. Features like real-time visibility, streamlined PBC (Prepared By Client) request tracking, and centralized document management save time for everyone. By covering the cost, audit firms can reduce their workload, improve client satisfaction, and deliver audits more efficiently.
2. Reduced Risk of Errors
Using Dash360 minimizes errors during audits by automating repetitive tasks, standardizing processes, and ensuring clear communication. For audit firms, this reduces the risk of oversight and boosts the quality of their work, making it a win-win.
3. Year-Round Value for Your Team
The bonus? Your internal accounting team can use Dash360 for workflow management outside of audits—for free. Tasks like financial close, reconciliations, and compliance tracking can be managed effortlessly year-round. This added value makes the software investment even more appealing to both clients and auditors.
How to Ask Your Auditor to Cover the Cost
1. Bring It Up Early in the Discussion
Start the conversation during your initial engagement with the audit firm. Explain how implementing Dash360 benefits both parties and why including the cost in the audit fee makes sense. Highlight that the software improves efficiency for everyone involved and reduces the time required to complete the audit.
2. Provide a Clear Value Proposition
Explain that you audit software, or Dash360, ensures:
- Faster turnaround times.
- Real-time progress tracking, notifcations, and messaging
- Reduced administrative burden for both teams.
- Clear task ownership and approval flows
- Secure file management
Point out that the software creates a seamless collaboration platform, reducing back-and-forth communications and misunderstandings. Now you’re on the way to free audit software, or at least not paying for the cost of the internal audit tools that make your team more effective.
3. Suggest Including It in the Engagement Letter
The engagement letter is the contract between your organization and the audit firm. Propose adding a clause that specifies the auditor will cover the cost of Dash360 or discount the audit fee by the software’s cost. For example:
“The auditor agrees to utilize Dash360 software for audit management and workflow tracking. The cost of the software ($X) will be covered by the auditor or reflected as a discount in the final audit fee.”
This ensures clarity and agreement upfront.
Contract Considerations
1. Be Specific About Terms
Include specific details about the software in the engagement letter, such as:
- The name of the software (Dash360 or another alternative solution).
- Its purpose (audit management and workflow tracking).
- How the cost will be handled (e.g., discounted from the fee).
2. Discuss Usage Beyond the Audit
Since Dash360 can be used by internal accounting teams for general workflow management, clarify that your organization retains access to the software year-round. This ensures your team can maximize its benefits. How else can your team benefit year round now that you have free audit software at your fingertips? Use it for audit prep, monthly close, or quarterly processes.
3. Negotiate a Mutually Beneficial Agreement
Audit firms often have budgets for tools and technologies that improve their efficiency. By framing Dash360 as a tool that reduces their workload and improves outcomes, you make it easier for them to justify the expense. Your auditor can ask you to use their tool, but they cannot require it. Their independence allows you to select a tool and require them to utilize it.
The Right Choice
1. Tailored for Audit Professionals
Dash360 is purpose-built to handle the complexities of financial, tax, and security audits. Its features are designed to simplify PBC request management, streamline communication, and provide real-time analytics.
2. Easy Year-Round Use
Beyond audits, Dash360 serves as a robust workflow management tool for internal teams. It can help with tasks like month-end close processes, compliance tracking, and task management—all at no additional cost when bundled with your audit.
3. Proven Efficiency Gains
Dash360 reduces manual effort, improves task ownership visibility, and accelerates audit timelines. For audit firms, this means happier clients and fewer headaches. For clients, it means a smoother, more organized audit experience. Audit firms make regular use of audit workflow software (not exactly free audit software) to drive efficiency in their audits. Of course, their emphasis is on saving time for their team, not yours. Leveraging technology in audits not only accelerates the process but also contributes to overall cost savings.
Taking the First Step
Implementing audit management software of some kind, or switching to Dash360, doesn’t just save time and reduce stress—it changes how you approach audits altogether. By asking your auditor to cover the cost, you ensure your team can use top-tier software without stretching your budget.
To get started:
- Research: Learn about Dash360’s features and how it benefits both internal teams and auditors.
- Prepare Your Pitch: Frame your request in terms of mutual benefits, emphasizing efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction.
- Negotiate: Discuss terms early and include them in your engagement letter to avoid misunderstandings.
Final Thoughts
Implementing audit management software can lead to significant cost savings and efficiency gains. For instance, audit software offering standardized workpapers can save auditors between 10 to 20 hours per employee in an audit, so don’t let the auditors realize all the gains. Audit firms and their clients both benefit from using advanced audit software like Dash360. By asking your auditor to cover the cost, you unlock a powerful tool for free while enhancing the audit process for everyone involved. Better still, your internal team can continue using Dash360 year-round for seamless workflow management.
Isn’t it time your auditor paid for your audit software? Start the conversation today and transform your audit experience with Dash360.