At least annually, the chief audit executive (CAE) should establish a means for communicating internal assessment results that enhances credibility and objectivity. Generally, those assigned responsibility for conducting ongoing monitoring and periodic self-assessments communicate the results directly to the CAE while performing the assessments. In a smaller internal audit activity, the CAE may take a greater direct role in the internal assessment process. The CAE should report on both ongoing and periodic internal assessment results for all attribute and performance standards as well as the Definition of Internal Auditing and the Code of Ethics, and where appropriate corrective action plans and implementation progress, to the executive to whom the CAE reports administratively and to the board