--- sourceDocument: Australia Governance, Risk, and Compliance sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/governance-risk-compliance Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Governance, Risk, and Compliance ft:clusterId : - grc bundleId : - grc workflow : - Technology --- # Audit evidence request # Evidence request {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated August 24, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Evidence request Evidence request is a feature designed for audit and compliance teams to efficiently request and manage supporting documents during audits. It facilitates the collection of audit evidence, which includes accounting records, financial statements, and other relevant information necessary for forming an audit opinion. Evidence requests typically begin in the audit preparation or planning phase and evolve as the audit progresses. Show full answer Show less This capability supports both planned and unplanned evidence requests, enhancing collaboration between audit teams and control owners, business stakeholders, process owners, and compliance teams. ## Key Features * Enables quick creation, sending, and management of evidence requests with due dates for submission. * Supports requests from compliance teams to control owners and stakeholders, and from audit teams to a broader group including compliance teams. * Streamlines communication by consolidating correspondence within the platform, eliminating multiple emails, and allowing email reminders to assignees. * Assignees can submit evidence directly through the Service Portal, improving usability and tracking. * Manager approvals for evidence requests can be configured based on criteria like confidentiality and criticality. * Confidentiality controls restrict unauthorized access to evidence request information. * Evidence can be stored centrally in common folders such as Box or SharePoint. * Supports a simplified two-step evidence request and response process, optionally skipping detailed collection steps for efficiency. * Documents can be uploaded in Microsoft Word or PDF formats linked to evidence, engagement, and control test records. * Integrated ServiceNow Otto® panel provides capabilities like document summarization and voice-assisted interactions for easier evidence review and management. ## Practical Use for ServiceNow Customers ServiceNow customers can leverage the Evidence request feature to improve audit and compliance workflows by reducing manual communication, enhancing document management, and ensuring timely evidence collection. This leads to more efficient audits with better collaboration across defense lines, tighter security controls on sensitive information, and streamlined approval processes. The feature integrates seamlessly with audit and compliance management modules, allowing evidence requests to be initiated from various audit-related records. For detailed instructions on how to implement and use the two-step evidence request process, customers should refer to the specific guidance on requesting evidence for audits. Evidence request is used by audit and compliance teams for requesting supporting documents during an audit. Auditors and compliance teams require these documents from the first line of defense. Evidence is all the information used by an auditor in determining the audit opinion. Evidence includes the information contained in the accounting records underlying the financial statements and other information. Evidence is cumulative in nature. It includes evidence obtained from audit procedures performed during the audit. Evidence may also include audit evidence obtained from other sources such as previous audits. An evidence request is frequently introduced during the audit preparation or the planning phase after the audit announcement. The documents requested are used by the audit team to understand the in-scope controls and processes, and to begin fieldwork testing. As an audit progresses through various stages, the audit team frequently adds new requests to the list. The compliance teams use the collected evidence for control testing. Starting with the latest release, unplanned evidence request is supported by Audit Management and Policy and Compliance Management. The following are the benefits of the evidence request feature: * Helps the second line and third line of defense create and send evidence requests quickly, manage requests and evidence efficiently, and set due dates for evidence submission. Compliance teams can request evidence from control owners, business stakeholders, and process owners. Audit teams can request evidence from control owners, business stakeholders, process owners, and compliance teams. * Streamlines communication by eliminating multiple emails and providing improved communication channels between requesters and assignees. You can send email reminders to assignees, and assignees can provide evidence directly from the Service Portal. * Enables simplified manager approval of evidence requests based on various criteria, such as confidentiality and criticality. Improved confidentiality constraints prevent unauthorized persons from viewing request information. * Allows assignees to store evidence in a common evidence folder, such as Box or SharePoint. * Enables requesters to create a simplified two-step flow (Evidence request → Evidence response) by selecting Skip collection detail. Assignees can add evidence directly using the New button on the Evidence related list. For more information, see [Request evidence for audit using two-step process](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~wHORcn41T57iq_BB5hV4g "Request evidence at any stage during an audit. The details about the items for which evidence is requested are also provided to the person responsible for providing the evidence."). * Store supporting documents in Microsoft Word or PDF formats on evidence, engagement, and control test records. Use the ServiceNow Otto® panel to ask questions or summarize documents. Use voice assist to enable voice chat and audio summaries. For more information, see [Using Document Management System in Audit Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8F8z~gYhYxGQqF_~AigbJg "The Document Management System in Audit Workspace provides a centralized repository for storing and managing documents in engagements, control tests, and evidence records. The Documents panel is a native side pane that allows you to store, version, and control access to documents linked to engagements, control tests, and evidence records."). {#evidence-request__ul_vn5_t2z_mmb} Evidence can be requested from an engagement and all audit tables. To understand how to request evidence, refer to [Request evidence for audit using two-step process](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~wHORcn41T57iq_BB5hV4g "Request evidence at any stage during an audit. The details about the items for which evidence is requested are also provided to the person responsible for providing the evidence.").