What action should auditors take regarding problems identified during audits?

Including the problem in their report is vital for ensuring transparency and facilitating improvement within the organization. Auditors play a crucial role in assessing compliance with standards and identifying areas of risk or inefficiency. By documenting issues in the audit report, auditors provide a clear record of findings that can be reviewed by management and stakeholders. This formal inclusion of identified problems serves multiple purposes: it helps in tracking the organization's progress over time, it holds the organization accountable for addressing the issues, and it provides a reference point for future audits.

Not only does this practice enhance the overall quality of the audit process, but it also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, as management is made aware of challenges that need to be addressed. Addressing issues only through verbal communication or simply notifying management without formal documentation can lead to misunderstandings or insufficient follow-through. Thus, including identified problems in the audit report is a critical step in ensuring that necessary actions are taken to rectify issues effectively.