Sometimes you want an outside investigator to do a "routine compliance investigation".  You might want to call it a "compliance audit by our outside investigator".  Having an outside investigator do a routine compliance audit provides objectivity and reassures everyone that nothing "is swept under the rug".

A short compliance investigation by an outside investigator might include the following elements.

• A half day meeting by the outside investigator us with the corporate attorney and then meetings with the CEO and CFO.
• Securing the necessary letters from the CEO or board of directors that will shield the investigation as being work-product under the direction of an attorney who will giving legal advice to the corporation.
• A half day developing the investigative plan
• A half day work with the actual (hands-on) field auditors of the outside auditors
• A day reviewing documents and procedures and meeting with employees and management
• A  half day discussing preliminary findings with the CEO and CFO
• A day back investigating as needed
• A day writing the final report to the attorney, in a format suitable for him/her to report the basis for his/her legal advices to the CEO or Board of Directors, reporting on compliance with:

•         corporate ethics goals,
•         accurate financial reporting, and
•         legal reporting requirements.

This, of course, is the time line for a short investigation.  But it is also the outline of what is done on a more extensive or difficult investigation.   The amount of time may vary, but the general track usually follows the above.

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