What is audit trail?

[riya]

I've come across the term "audit trail" in some financial and software contexts, but I'm not entirely clear on what it means. Can someone explain what an audit trail is, what it's used for, and why it's important?

 

[kuldeep]

Audit trail refers to a record of the all the moves of activities or transactions that involve a process or book of accounts. It displays who, what where, and how. Audit trails are utilized in business, accounting, and IT, to assure accuracy, safety, and visibility and detect or deter fraud.

 

[peterkavinsky]

An audit trail is a chronological record of all financial transactions or system activities, allowing tracking of changes and ensuring transparency, accuracy, and accountability.

 

[brook]

Audit trail is an accounting or book of records of all the movements of activities or transaction of a process or book of account. It shows who, what and where, and how. Audit trails are used in business, accounting, and information technology to ensure precision, security and transparency and prevent or reveal fraud.

 

[Shane Warne]

An audit trail is a recorded history of all changes or transactions in a system, allowing tracking, verification, and accountability of activities.