Which aspect is primarily measured during operational audits?

Operational audits focus on evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's operations, particularly how well management adheres to established policies and procedures. This type of audit seeks to identify areas where the organization can improve its processes, ensure compliance with internal and external regulations, and enhance overall performance.

By measuring management’s adherence to policies, operational audits provide insights into whether staff are following established guidelines and procedures designed to lead to optimal performance. This assessment helps organizations pinpoint inefficiencies, address compliance issues, and implement improvements that can foster better operational outcomes.

Considering other aspects, general ledger accuracy pertains more to financial audits, focusing on the correctness of financial statements rather than operational efficiency. Short-term financial gains involve a focus on immediate financial results, which is typically not the main goal of an operational audit. Lastly, external financial reporting emphasizes transparency and compliance with accounting standards, which again is more aligned with financial audits rather than operational evaluations. Thus, the primary focus of operational audits is indeed on management’s adherence to policies.