Auditing the Expenditure Cycle

You're conducting an audit of a company's expenditure cycle and you come across instances of potential overspending and unauthorized expenses. How would you approach auditing the expenditure cycle to identify these issues and recommend improvements? What specific controls and audit procedures would you implement to ensure that expenditures are properly authorized, accurate, and compliant? Let's explore the complexities of auditing the expenditure cycle and the role of auditors in safeguarding financial resources.