Audit trail
An audit trail links a recorded balance or journal to its source transaction, authorisation and subsequent changes. In a computerised system it may include document references, user identities, posting dates and correction history. It helps investigate errors, duplicate processing and unusual changes. The trail supports verification but does not itself guarantee that the original transaction was valid or correctly measured.
Worked example
A revenue posting can be traced from the ledger to an invoice, customer order and dispatch evidence, and a later credit note is linked to the original invoice.
Common mistake
A transaction can have a complete audit trail and still be wrong; evidence must be checked rather than merely present.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | BT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | F1 | Supporting | July 2027–August 2028 |
| ACCA | F2 | Supporting | July 2027–August 2028 |
| ACCA | F3 | Supporting | July 2027–August 2028 |
| ACCA | K1 | Supporting | July 2027–August 2028 |
| FIA | FBT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
Related terms
Also called: Transaction audit trail