14. An internal audit staffer has just completed an assessment of the engagement client's operating and financial controls. The auditor’s preliminary conclusion is that controls are adequately designed to achieve management's operating and financial objectives. The auditor's next step is to
A. Present his or her findings to the chief audit executive.
B. Prepare a preliminary report on internal controls for presentation to the board.
C. Report his or her results to the auditor in charge.
D. Prepare a plan for testing internal controls.
ANSWER (C) is correct.
REQUIRED: The step an internal auditor performs after forming a preliminary conclusion about internal control.
DISCUSSION: The auditor in charge of the engagement is responsible for coordinating the results of audit work and ensuring that work performed supports conclusions and opinions. For this reason, internal audit staff must report the results of audit work to the auditor in charge.
Answer (A) is incorrect. The internal audit staffer presents his or her results to the auditor in charge of the engagement, not to the chief audit executive.
Answer (B) is incorrect. Preliminary results are not sufficient for the preparation of a report. Also, the internal audit staffer presents his or her results to the auditor in charge of the engagement, not to the board.
Answer (D) is incorrect. The auditor in charge must determine whether it is appropriate to proceed with testing controls after reviewing the internal audit staffer's results.