Construction Audit is becoming more and more prevalent, and organizations are appreciating its importance. Learning the basics of construction auditing can provide valuable knowledge and skills for professionals and students in the construction industry, offering insights into financial management, risk mitigation, compliance and overall project oversight.
This book is not just for auditors, however. It could be used by project managers, integrity monitors, construction managers and anyone else who wants to understand the elements that go into creating a successful project. Legal teams involved in contracting and overpayment recovery will also benefit.
This book:
- Walks you through all phases of construction, starting with project inception. It will guide the reader through all the processes and the risks in each of these.
- Will guide the reader through the many challenges they will face throughout the life of the project. This book provides real-life solutions to common problems in construction.
- Introduces project management techniques; while not concentrating on a special methodology, the book builds on project management fundamentals. Understanding this will help enable the reader to talk to project managers more effectively.
- Defines the components of a successful project and gives the reader the tools needed to ensure these components.
- Uses real-life examples of control breakdowns, errors or fraud.
- Will help readers build an audit strategy and plan by understanding risks and effective controls that can be implemented to mitigate risk.
Whether tackling your first project or your 21st project, this book will help you think outside the box and understand the finite processes and pieces of your project. There is always room for something new, new perspectives or improvement, and this book will help you find it.
1. Introduction – Construction Audit Basics. 2. Types of Construction. 3. General Risks. 4. How Construction Audit is Different from other audits. 5. Delivering a Construction Audit. 6. Pillars of Success. 7. Phases of Construction Projects. 8. Location and Benchmarking. 9. Conflicts of Interest. 10. Project Appraisal. 11. Investment Decision Making. 12. ESG and Construction. 13. Building the Construction Team. 14. Common Procurement Risks. 15. How Project Procurement Can Be Different. 16. Contracting. 17. Contracts. 18. Earned Value Management. 19. Inventory Controls. 20. Safety and Site Rules. 21. Daily Foreman Reports. 22. Perimeters and Cameras. 23. Safety and Safety Equipment. 24. Budgets and Budget Reporting. 25. Month End Reporting. 26. Walkthroughs and Inspections. 27. Insurance. 28. Labor and Professional Fees. 29. Payments and Payment Auditing. 30. Change Orders and Auditing Change Orders. 31. Special Considerations. 32. Special Types of Construction. 33. Procuring Equipment from Abroad. 34. Construction Fraud and Considerations. 35. Closing Thoughts
Biography
Denise Cicchella is an experienced consultant and auditor. She is a passionate educator and spreads her knowledge about audit, fraud, project management and other topics via conferences, live presentations and webinars.
Denise worked in numerous industries before specializing in construction audit and consultancy. She has worked on numerous construction projects including commercial, residential, healthcare and energy. She has helped her clients recover as much as 10% via construction audits performed.
Denise is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Construction Auditor. She is a life member of the National Association of Construction Auditors and is the Founding President of the NY/NJ Chapter.
Denise earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD and her Masters in International Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The new book "Construction Audit, Building a Solid Foundation" by Denise Cicchella, CCA is a well-documented publication full of great advice and technique for the new construction audit professional and also seasoned auditors, written by an industry expert. I will recommend members of the National Association of Construction Auditors add it to their professional library.
Edward Walsh, Executive Director, National Association of Construction Auditors
Denise has long been considered the leading global expert in construction fraud. Her career focus has been squarely in this space and it shows. She understands it to a degree that no one else does in our fraud risk management community. This book is an excellent dissection of the topic where she shares with us her vast knowledge in a way that is easy to digest. If you want to better understand construction fraud for yourself, this book is a must read.
Alexis Bell, MS, CFE
ACFE Global Board of Regents Chair, Emeritus
