1.5 Coordination
1.6 OTHER TOPICS
1.Governance
a. Internal auditors evaluate and improve governance processes as part of their assurance function. This subunit addresses the overall role of internal auditing in governance. It also outlines more specific governance activities, such as the assessment of the internal audit activity’s own performance.
Performance Standard 2110 : Governance
The internal audit activity must assess and make appropriate recommendations for improving the governance process in its accomplishment of the following objectives:
• Promoting appropriate ethics and values within the organization;
• Ensuring effective organizational performance management and accountability;
• Communicating risk and control information to appropriate areas of the organization; and
• Coordinating the activities of and communicating information among the board, external and internal auditors, and management.
2. Strategic Role of the Internal Audit Activity
a. According to Practice Advisory 2110-3 Governance: Assessments, “Internal auditors can act in a number of different capacities in assessing and contributing to the improvement of governance practices. Typically, internal auditors provide independent, objective assessments of the design and operating effectiveness of the organization's governance processes. They also may provide consulting and advice on ways to improve those processes. In some cases, internal auditors may be called on to facilitate board self-assessments of governance practices" (para, 1)
b. The internal audit activity therefore plays an important strategic role in the governance function of an organization. That role includes providing leadership, assessing he adequacy of measurement systems, making appropriate recommendations, and assessing the achievement of corporate objectives.
3. Business Process improvement
a. One of the strategic roles of internal auditors involves organizing and leading a team in mapping, analysis, and business process improvement.
1) A process map is a simple flowchart or narrative description to depict a process. It aids in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of processes and controls.
b. Internal auditors evaluate the whole management process of planning, organizing, and directing to determine whether reasonable assurance exists objectives will be achieved.
c. All business systems, processes, operations, functions, and activities within the organization are subject to the internal auditor's evaluations. Internal auditing provides reasonable assurance that management’s
1) Risk management activities are effective;
2) Internal control is effective and efficient, and
3) Governance process is effective by establishing and preserving values, setting goals, monitoring activities and performance, and defining the measures of accountability.
4. Internal Audit Performance Measurements
a. Key performance measurements for the internal audit activity provide criteria against which it is judged.
b. The following guidance is provided by The IIA Practice Guide, Measuring internal and Efficiency:
1) Establishing performance measures is activity is critical in determining whether an audit activity is meeting its objectives, consistent with the highest quality practices and standards.
2) The first step is to identify key performance measures for activities that stakeholders believe add value and improve the organization’s operations.
3) Once key effectiveness and efficiency measurement and targets have been identified, value a monitoring process and a method of reporting to stakeholders should be established (e.g., format, timing, and metrics) The frequency of reporting should be based on stakeholder needs.
4) It is important that the internal audit activity obtain feedback from key stakeholders on audit effectiveness and make adjustments when necessary.
5. Performance Measurement systems and corporate objectives
a. An important element of corporate governance is the establishment of performance objectives. Internal auditors can use them as standards to measure performance.
b. Internal auditors can add value to an organization by assessing the adequacy of the performance measurement system and the achievement corporate objectives.
c. Internal auditors may gather relevant information during multiple engagements. The results of these engagements provide a basis for assessing whether the current system is adequate.
Stop and review! You have completed the outline for this subunit. study multiple choice question 16 on page 35