ABC Auditing Principles & Procedures 5

Question 1

A communication audit finds that 70% of surveyed employees report receiving critical company news from informal channels (colleagues) before official channels. This indicates:

Accepted Answer

A failure in the timeliness or reach of official internal communication channels

Answer

When the grapevine consistently outpaces official channels, it signals that formal communication is too slow or insufficiently distributed to meet employee information needs.

Question 2

Which of the following BEST describes 'triangulation' as used in communication audits?

Accepted Answer

Using multiple data collection methods to cross-validate findings

Answer

Triangulation strengthens audit validity by cross-validating findings across multiple methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, content analysis) to ensure conclusions are not method-dependent.

Question 3

An audit of external communications discovers the organization consistently uses technical jargon when communicating with the general public. The FIRST corrective step should be:

Accepted Answer

Developing plain-language guidelines and training writers to apply them

Answer

Plain-language guidelines give existing writers actionable standards to follow, addressing the root cause (unclear writing standards) before adding personnel or external resources.

Question 4

In communication auditing, 'output' metrics measure:

Accepted Answer

The quantity and reach of communication activities produced

Answer

Output metrics count what was produced and distributed (press releases issued, impressions generated), as distinct from outcome metrics that measure audience effects.

Question 5

Which situation represents a conflict of interest that an external communication auditor MUST disclose before accepting an engagement?

Accepted Answer

The auditor holds stock in the organization being audited

Answer

A financial interest in the audited organization directly compromises independence and is a material conflict of interest requiring disclosure or disqualification.

(ABC) Accredited Business Communicator Practice Test

(ABC) Accredited Business Communicator Practice Test

ABC Auditing Principles & Procedures 5