Final answer:
The comprehensive purpose of an audit is to evaluate compliance with policies, laws, and regulations and assess alignment with established goals and objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The comprehensive purpose of an audit is to evaluate and confirm if the entity being audited is in compliance with policies, laws, and regulations, as well as assess its alignment with established goals and objectives. An audit involves a systematic examination of financial records, internal controls, and business operations to determine if they are accurate, reliable, and efficient.
For example, when conducting a financial audit, auditors review financial statements and transactions to ensure they are prepared in accordance with accounting standards and accurately reflect the entity's financial position. They also assess the entity's compliance with tax laws, labor regulations, and other applicable laws and regulations.
In addition, auditors analyze the entity's goals and objectives, such as profitability, growth, or social impact, to evaluate if its operations and strategies are aligned with these goals.