Government auditing and quality standards may have you thinking of heartless men in black suits with red pens in hand ready to tell people where they've gone wrong. But you can take a lesson from government auditors to streamline and optimize your business while protecting your company along the way. Once you start looking into the government audit and basic quality standards, you may be surprised how often good government and good business cross paths.

You won't have to hunt down a federal auditor to achieve federal auditing standards. In fact, as the expert in your business, by taking a cue from government auditing standards and the non-governmental agencies they turn to for help, you'll be able to:

1. Create your own quality standards guide tailored for your unique business needs.

2. Use your government auditing standards to provide consistent, high quality service and products.

3. Perfect your compliance with government auditing standards to help keep your costs down.

4. Uphold governmental auditing standards to show that you are a model manager of government agencies and programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Think big for government auditing resources

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a non-partisan group charged with keeping Congress honest and on track with the taxpayers' money. Their 'Yellow Book' is considered the bible of government auditing and accountability.

I recommend: Visit the GAO and buy the GAO Yellow Book to get you started on your way to developing your standards. Taking on all of Congress may be a little difficult, so some scholars have made it easy with the book "Applying Government Audit Standards." It focuses on topics like assessing risk, reviewing internal controls, quality control and detecting fraud. The book also contains handy checklists. Buy "Applying Government Audit Standards" from business solutions provider LexisNexis.

Audit government accounting and auditing courses

Some continuing education courses are required for licensing and certification for auditors and accountants. While you don't need the credit or the hours, you do need the information. Sitting in on some of these classes could give you just what you need to use government auditing tools for your business.

I recommend: The Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can get you the government auditing information you need. They have regionally offered live classes, such as Auditing for Cost Savings and Performance Improvement, and classes available online. Or you can take an online course by Caliso based on auditor training for the International Standardization Organization (ISO).

Turn to a retired pro or an outreach program to bring you up to speed on government auditing

Look for a retired government auditor or quality standards administrator who will be able to give you some face to face coaching and will be able to take a look at your organization first hand. Bringing in an outsider may turn up obvious, easy changes you've been overlooking because you're buried in work.

I recommend: Find a nearby office of SCORE. These retired execs can prevent you from having to reinvent the wheel. Search by state to find an office near you, and set up a one-on-one meeting. Advancing Government Accountability offers a unique audio conference opportunity that is frequently updated.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are hiring an accountant to perform a government audit, look for a Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) credential showing that the auditor has passed an exam and met the experience levels specified by the Institute of Internal Auditors.