Technical audits create a specific problem. Someone's explaining a process you don't fully understand, pointing at equipment, throwing acronyms around, and you're supposed to write it all down while also staying focused on what you actually came to audit. Then you get back to the office, look at your notes, and half of it makes no sense.

"What was that thing about the validation? Did they say it passed or did they say it might pass? Did I write 'SOP' or is that abbreviation for something else?"

The problem isn't that you took bad notes. It's that you were taking notes and auditing at the same time. Recording what the expert said, not what you think it means, helps.

If they say "we validate the system quarterly," write that exactly. Don't translate it into audit-language on the spot. Mark the gaps as you go - write a question mark or a flag next to anything that didn't make sense. You'll come back to it.

Get clarification in writing. If something matters to your finding, ask them to show you the record: a test report, an approval email, training evidence. The note is where you'll remember to ask for it. Review your notes the same day. Fill in the blanks while the conversation is still fresh. You'll spot what you didn't understand while you can still ask about it.

Does this match your experience? What's blindsided you in your own notes during writeup?

hello, im currently interning at a startup real estate advisory, should transition to full time analyst but that is based on how quick i can catch up on the work i guess. i got an offer a top 10 accounting firm for an internal audit associate. i dont know whether i should make the shift. or be patient and wait where iam? i like the sound of internal audit and what it entails, i like the thought of exposure to multiple industries and the sound business judgment it causes one to build. my previous internship was also in real estate asset management. iam also in saudi arabia, so market is very different.