Document Control for Accounting & Finance
A procedure for managing the creation, review, approval, distribution, and revision of controlled documents within the quality management system.
Purpose
To ensure that only current, approved documents are available at points of use, preventing the use of obsolete or unauthorised documents that could lead to quality errors.
Scope
Covers all controlled documents including policies, procedures, work instructions, forms, specifications, and records across all departments within the quality management system.
Prerequisites
- Established working paper management system with version control capabilities
- Defined working paper hierarchy and numbering convention
- Appointed working paper controller with authority to manage the system
Built with ASIC regulatory requirements, AML/CTF compliance, Tax Practitioners Board obligations, and APES standards in mind.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Initiate Working paper Request
A new working paper or revision is requested by submitting a working paper change request with justification for the creation or change.
- 1.1Complete the working paper change request form with the proposed content or changes
- 1.2Provide justification for the new working paper or revision
- 1.3Submit the request to the working paper controller
Draft the Working paper
Prepare the working paper content using the approved template and formatting standards.
- 2.1Use the correct working paper template for the working paper type
- 2.2Draft the content following the organisation writing and formatting standards
- 2.3Include all required sections such as purpose, scope, responsibilities, and procedure steps
- Use clear, concise language and avoid jargon where possible
Review the Working paper
Circulate the draft working paper to relevant stakeholders for review. Collect and incorporate feedback.
- 3.1Send the draft to identified reviewers with a review deadline
- 3.2Collect feedback from all reviewers
- 3.3Incorporate feedback and resolve any conflicting comments
Approve the Working paper
Submit the reviewed working paper to the designated approver for formal approval and sign-off.
- 4.1Present the final draft to the approver with a summary of review comments addressed
- 4.2Obtain formal approval signature or electronic sign-off
- 4.3Record the approval date and approver identity
Publish and Distribute
Publish the approved working paper in the working paper management system and distribute to relevant personnel.
- 5.1Upload the approved working paper to the working paper management system with correct metadata
- 5.2Set access permissions for relevant users and departments
- 5.3Notify affected personnel that a new or revised working paper is available
Manage Obsolete Documents
Withdraw the previous version of the working paper from circulation and mark it as obsolete in the system.
- 6.1Remove or restrict access to the obsolete version at all distribution points
- 6.2Mark the obsolete version clearly in the working paper management system
- 6.3Retain the obsolete version in the archive for reference
- Conduct periodic checks to ensure no obsolete documents remain at points of use
Quality Checkpoints
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Expected Outcomes
Percentage of documents that are current and within their scheduled review date.
Average time from working paper change request to approved publication, measuring efficiency of the control process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should documents be reviewed?
Documents should be reviewed at defined intervals, typically annually or biannually. Additionally, reviews should be triggered by changes in regulations, processes, or customer requirements.
What types of documents need to be controlled?
All documents that direct or record activities affecting quality should be controlled. This includes policies, procedures, work instructions, forms, specifications, and quality records.
What is the difference between a controlled and uncontrolled working paper?
A controlled working paper is managed through the working paper control process, ensuring it is current, approved, and traceable. An uncontrolled working paper is a copy that is not guaranteed to be current, typically marked as such.
Can employees keep printed copies of controlled documents?
Printed copies should be minimised and are typically considered uncontrolled. If printed copies are necessary, a controlled copy register should track their distribution and ensure they are updated when revisions are issued.
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