What is the target outcome of a financial audit in budget planning?

The target outcome of a financial audit in budget planning is to verify financial accuracy. Conducting a financial audit involves a thorough examination of an organization's financial statements and practices to ensure that the records are accurate, complete, and in compliance with relevant laws and standards. This accuracy is essential for informed decision-making and effective management of resources within the budget planning process.

When financial accuracy is verified, it helps stakeholders, including management and external parties, to trust the financial information provided. This trust is crucial for making strategic budgetary decisions, as it ensures that the funds are being managed correctly and that the financial representations are not misleading.

In contrast, reducing the budget, creating new budgets, or allocating surplus funds, while related to budget processes, do not directly align with the primary goal of a financial audit. Instead, those options focus on specific actions or objectives that may result from a financial audit but do not represent its central purpose.