What should a detailed internal audit (self-inspection) report include?

An internal audit report is a key document for recording audit findings and driving subsequent improvements; its quality directly affects the effectiveness of the audit. A detailed report should be clearly structured and specific. It should include at least the following sections: 1. **Basic information**: unique audit reference, audit date, scope (such as “storage operations” or “document system”), audit criteria (such as GDP guidance or company SOPs), auditor’s name and the department audited. 2. **Audit summary**: a brief overview of the audit and its main conclusions. 3. **Audit findings**: the core of the report. Clearly list each non-conformity (deficiency) separately. Describe the specific facts observed in detail (“where I was and what I saw”) and cite the specific legislative or SOP provision breached. 4. **Deficiency grading**: grade each deficiency according to its potential impact on product quality and regulatory compliance (for example, “critical”, “major” or “minor”). 5. **Recommendations (optional)**: the auditor may suggest improvements, but the audited department should determine the final corrective actions. 6. **Report distribution list and conclusion**.