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In telecommunications, the term audit has the following meanings:

• To conduct an independent review and examination of system records and activities in order to test the adequacy and effectiveness of data security and data integrity procedures, to ensure compliance with established policy and operational procedures, and to recommend any necessary changes.

• Independent review and examination of records and activities to assess the adequacy of system controls, to ensure compliance with established policies and operational procedures, and to recommend necessary changes in controls, policies, or procedures.

• Analysis of invoices, lines, rates, tariffs, taxes, plans, usage, call volume, systems, and contracts resulting in cost reduction, proper invoicing and optimization of telecommunication systems often conducted by an independent telecommunications consultant or firm.

Areas that companies traditionally consult for are Telecommunications Expense Management (TEM), Telecom RFP (Request For Proposal) Management and Implementation, Outsourced Telecom Management, Cell Phone Management and Optimization, and Wide Area Networking (WAN).^[1]

Some tips to help get you started:

• Audit your phone bill at least once every month

• Look for more than just unusual calls; check your cost per minute

• Check your fees and surcharges and see if other companies offer the service fee-free

• Are you paying for services that are not needed?

• If you discontinue a service, make sure that you're not still being charged after cancellation

• Examine your billing increments (are you paying for a 2 minute call even though you were on the phone for only 61 seconds?)

• Get a free quote from a consulting company that typically has good relations with multiple service providers and compare the quote to your current costs^[2]

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