ABC Creates Working Party To Tighten Audit Procedures

The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has decided to establish a working party to review the Bureau’s auditing and inspections procedures following the discovery of a series of false circulation reports. In November last year the ABC found that three Birmingham Mail & Post newspapers had been reporting false circulation figures for a period of six years (see ABC Suspends Birmingham Titles), causing the ABC Council to find ways of reviewing the stringency of its processes (see ABC To Review Audit Process Following False Circulation Figures).

Amongst other things, the new ABC working party will review the frequency of ABC inspections and the role that financial auditors play in the ABC audit process. Mandatory circulation audit training for those undertaking magazine and newspaper audits will also be considered.

The working party will comprise three publishers – one drawn from each of the consumer magazine, regional newspaper and national newspaper industries – and three representatives of the advertising and advertising agency sectors. The members will be recommended by the ABC Council, with a decision due by the end of this month.

The final working party report will be presented to the Council in September.

Audit Bureau Of Circulations: 01442 870 800