The audit department, responsible for internal reviews in the bank, aims to deter branches and other parts of the business from skating the rules and ensure proper banking operations, avoiding unfavorable behavior. An audit is a significant event for every banking outlet. If any errors are found in the accounts, severe penalties await. These penalties range from fines and criticism to serious reprimands, suspension, or transfers. Such punishments directly affect the responsible person's future.
The audit department's review can be seen as a preliminary investigation before the Banking Regulatory Commission and Audit Office conduct their inspections. Its purpose is to prevent these higher authorities from finding fault.
"Stay here, I'll go!" Zheng Shuai stopped Lin Qiang, who had hurriedly changed into formal attire. "If you're busy with this nonsense tonight, you'll mess up your client meeting tomorrow!"
"There's no choice," Lin Qiang pushed Zheng Shuai away, adjusting his collar in the mirror. "First, it's regulation that the person in charge must accompany the inspection. Not showing up would be dereliction of duty. Second, this is a direct order from the branch manager. Disobeying would also be dereliction. With two such charges, I'd likely be suspended before even getting that hundred million."
"But this... but this..." Zheng Shuai cursed, holding his head. "Who inspects late at night? And why now of all times? Damn it!"
"At this point, we can only minimize the impact," Lin Qiang turned and said. "You rest well tonight. If I can't keep up tomorrow, I'll need your help."
"What? You're going to work straight through?" Zheng Shuai exclaimed. "How can you manage without rest for two days?"
"I'll have to summon the spirit of those all-night study sessions from school!" Lin Qiang clenched his fist. "Tonight, your job is to sleep. Get a good rest, no arguments!"
Bang. The door closed, and after much hesitation, Zheng Shuai didn't follow. Even if he went with Lin Qiang tonight, he'd just be an extra pair of hands. Tomorrow during the day was the crucial moment.
He lay back down silently, gritting his teeth: "Boss Lin, you've got to hang in there."
Of course, not everyone had Zheng Shuai's treatment.
Knock knock knock!!
Zhang Jiaming was watching "Return to the Village" on TV when a sudden knocking came at the door...
10:12 PM, at the entrance of the Longyuan Banking Outlet.
Under the moonlight, a large black SUV slowly approached.
As the car stopped, Lin Qiang braced himself and went to open the door.
"Thank you for your hard work," he said, stepping aside to let the audit team members out.
"Not at all, you're the one working hard, considering you're just an acting director," said a man with a large pompadour and bulging goldfish-like eyes. He appeared to be under 40, yet his thinning hair made him look over 50.
Grinning, he lit a cigarette as soon as he got out of the car, then shook hands with Lin Qiang. "The Longyuan Outlet reacted quickly. I'm surprised you're already here to greet us!"
Lin Qiang felt a slight pressure in the handshake. Looking at those slightly protruding eyes, he smiled and said, "We're the ones who are honored. It's our first night inspection, and we're lucky to be chosen."
"Haha, so you must perform well. Don't let your branch down," the goldfish-eyed man released his hand and stood with his hands on his hips in front of the banking hall. "Nice, new renovations."
Seven to eight formally dressed men and women got out of the car and lined up behind the goldfish-eyed man, looking serious.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself," the goldfish-eyed man said, still with his hands on his hips, staring at the bank's signboard without looking at Lin Qiang. "Jijing Office, Audit Department, Audit Team Three Leader, Zeng Baichuan."
"Longyuan Banking Outlet, Acting Director, Personal Banking Manager, Lin Qiang."
"Mm, I know who you are," Zeng Baichuan waved his hand dismissively, turning to look at Zhang Jiaming. "And this is?"
Zhang Jiaming hurriedly introduced himself: "Account Manager, Zhang Jiaming. I've heard much about Audit Team Three's reputation for efficiency."
"Account Manager? Why is he here?" Zeng Baichuan ignored Zhang Jiaming and turned back to Lin Qiang. "Call your tellers. Get at least two more people here. How are we supposed to work with just the two of you?"
"I apologize, Team Leader Zeng," Lin Qiang bowed slightly. "Currently, the Longyuan Outlet only has seven staff members available for work. If they all assist with the inspection tonight, we won't be able to operate normally during the day."
"Regulations! Regulations! Are you ignoring the rules?!" Zeng Baichuan threw his cigarette butt on the ground, sparks flying. He glared at Lin Qiang, demanding, "Bank regulations require four staff members to assist with the investigation. Now there's just the two of you trying to get by. Do you want me to submit an unfavorable report about you right from the start?!"
"If you insist on submitting such a report, I can't stop you," Lin Qiang said calmly, avoiding Zeng Baichuan's gaze. "Compared to exhausting our daytime staff and affecting normal bank operations, I'd rather face the charge you mentioned. However, I will also submit a report to the branch, stating that a night inspection seriously impacts our normal operations, and request that inspections be moved to daytime hours."
"You!" Zeng Baichuan pointed at Lin Qiang, speechless for a moment.
Finally, he waved his arm: "Fine, this is just a small place after all, the workshop of a few minor employees. We won't push you."
"Then thank you for your understanding, Team Leader Zeng," Lin Qiang nodded to Zhang Jiaming.
Zhang Jiaming understood, walked up the steps, took out the password remote control, and pressed the button to open the security door.
Lin Qiang didn't intend to offend Zeng Baichuan, who had come for the inspection. He was also forced into this situation.
But in just a few exchanges, he had already realized that this person was here to find fault, there must be some kind of personal or interest relationship at play. Facing such a person, if he kept compromising, he would be completely led by the nose. For now, he had to argue rationally as much as possible without making mistakes.
After Zhang Jiaming unlocked the two layers of security doors and turned on the main lights of the banking hall, the group poured into the lobby.
"Hmm, newly renovated, not bad," Zeng Baichuan casually looked around, then at the counter area. "Quite grand, even more luxurious than many city center branches."
"Please follow me to the conference room," Lin Qiang gestured, leading the Audit Team Three towards the back. He turned to instruct Zhang Jiaming, "Prepare some coffee."
"Yes, yes..." Zhang Jiaming didn't dare to slack off. Although he hated Lin Qiang, they were facing the audit team now. There was work to be done, and he didn't dare to act out.
As Zeng Baichuan's group followed Lin Qiang, he casually said, "Please prepare all the material since the Longyuan Outlets opening, including every deposit and withdrawal slip, copies of every check, and contracts for every financial product sold."
Lin Qiang was shocked: "Since opening? Isn't it normally just an audit of the last 1-2 months?"