At the end of the research phase, Grant Thorton audits the results according to the following strategy:

1. From the online HR Benchmark survey, CRF draws a rating report that holds each company’s answer to every question in the survey. The auditors then compare this rating report with the information actually inputted online to ensure that all the data has been correctly captured.
    
2. The auditor assesses the data set for anomalies, potential areas of concern or errors. If any are found, CRF contacts clients directly to gain further insight into the aforementioned and to make the necessary corrections. These must be supplied in writing by participating companies. The auditor then ensures this is inputted correctly by CRF before the new rating report.

The auditor also requires that all companies complete all scored questions. Organisations who do not answer all these questions, are reapproached to complete the survey and the auditor ensures that this information is accurately captured before the final rating report is drawn.

Once this has been completed, CRF is able to identify the country’s Number 1 BEST Employer™, the Top 10 BEST Employers™ and accredit the companies who achieve the 60% minimum score of the total achievable score in the HR Benchmark™.

CRF South Africa has an explicit confidentiality agreement with all participating organisations. Those that are not accredited as a BEST Employer™ for the year receive research feedback in a comparative HR Benchmark™ report, however CRF South Africa does not release the names of organisations who do not achieve the required percentage of the total achievable score.