Preparing for a Utility Bill Audit:
It's Easier Than You Think
What would you say if someone told you that auditing your utility bills could be a simple and stress-free process? Would you scoff in disbelief? Well, it’s true — a utility bill audit can be a very straightforward process. You read that right! With just a copy of one month’s bill and two signatures, you can have a comprehensive utility bill audit done. Let’s walk through the steps so you can see just how straightforward it can be.
Why Consider a Utility Bill Audit?
Before diving into the how-tos, let’s understand why you might want a utility bill audit in the first place. First and foremost — cost savings. A utility bill audit can help identify errors or overcharges in your company’s billing, ensuring you’re not paying more than necessary. Plus, an audit ensures efficiency — simply put, that you’re getting the best rates, tailored to your facility’s specific usage patterns. Finally, a utility bill audit provides peace of mind, as it verifies the accuracy and fairness of your utility charges. Many customers understandably struggle to even understand their utility bills — this process gives you confidence you’re being billed correctly.
Step 1: Gather Your Utility Bill
The first step is simple: grab a copy of your most recent utility bills. These bills serve as a snapshot of your current usage and charges, providing the necessary data for the audit. Not sure where to find your bill? Make sure you have an online account with your utility. All utility providers (such as Duke Energy, Georgia Power, and DTE, among others) have some form of a customer portal where you can receive notifications about service and utility bills. Once you have that setup, you’ll always be able to find your bills in one place.
Step 2: Provide Signatures
If you’re working with a utility management professional, such as the experts on the UMS team, you’ll need to provide two signatures in order to proceed with the audit.
- Authorization to Access Data: This allows the audit team to pull your historical billing data from your utility provider.
- Agreement to Implement Changes: This ensures any recommended and approved changes can be made directly with your utility provider on your behalf.
When you’re working with a team that boasts decades of industry experience, multiple advanced degrees in relevant fields, plus a wealth of success stories — like UMS — you can rest assured all savings will be found.
Step 3: Sit Back & Relax
That’s basically it. Really. Once you’ve provided your bill and signatures, it’s time for the audit team to do what they do best — gather data and analyze it. Here’s what happens next:
● Data Retrieval: The audit team pulls your historical billing data.
● Analysis: They analyze the data to identify any discrepancies, overcharges, or opportunities for savings.
● Presentation: The findings are presented to you in a clear, concise manner.
● Action: With your approval, the team will implement any necessary changes with your utility provider.
The beauty of this process lies in its simplicity. This streamlined approach ensures you get the benefits without the hassle.
What to Expect After the Audit
The support you get from a professional utility bill auditing team doesn’t end after the data is analyzed. Not only will you get a detailed report that outlines the findings and highlights any potential savings opportunities, but you’ll also have someone in the know who will be looking out for potential future savings opportunities. You’ll have ongoing support, including continued monitoring to ensure your organization is always on the best rate plan available to meet your operating needs.
A utility bill audit doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a single bill and two signatures, you can uncover potential savings and ensure you’re being charged accurately. So why wait? Find your bills, sign the forms, and let the experts handle the rest. It’s a small effort for significant peace of mind and potential cost savings. Reach out today to learn more.
