This week my division finally finished our annual internal control audit, so I felt relief.
All Japanese public companies have to have their internal control system and they must be audited by an audit firm annually. Therefore from November to this week we were audited by the firm. Last year the annual audit was very tough, because the firm checked a lot of documents and they asked 187 questions. I was the coordinator between the firm and 3 department and 23 sections, so I was terribly busy. Before this annual audit, I discussed with the chief auditor about this year’s methods and I gave him some my thoughts and suggestions, for example the auditor should ask simple questions directly to liaisons because if they ask all questions by papers, it just take too much paper work and time. In addition I proposed using the liaison people in each department. Last year the auditor contacted 23 sections directly, hence I had a hard time coordinating 23 sections. On the other hand if the firm contacts a liaison person who coordinates 7 sections, it would save much more time and energy. The firm agreed my suggestions and they begun to audit our internal control systems. This annual audit went smoothly because my teammates were tenacious, especially the liaison people I assigned. This Thursday I had the final meeting with the auditor. I explained eight final questions and they approved them. I appreciated the cooperation by all departments, all sections and all team mates.
Thank you very much.