Internal Audit Quality

ISBN-13: 9781118715512 / Angielski / Twarda / 2014 / 400 str.

Sally–Anne Pitt; Michael Pitt

Opis

Deliver increased value by embedding quality into internal audit activities Internal Audit Quality: Developing a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to better practice internal auditing. Written by a global expert in audit quality, this guide is the first to provide complete coverage of the elements that comprise an effective internal audit quality assurance and improvement program. Readers will find practical solutions for monitoring and measuring internal audit performance drawn from The IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and complemented by advice and case studies from leading audit practitioners from five different continents. Major corporate and financial collapses over the past decade have challenged the value of internal audit. With an increased focus on internal audit's role in good governance, management is increasingly demanding that internal audit provides assurance of the quality of its own activities. The IIA standards provide a framework for audit quality in the form of mandatory guidance . Recent research indicates that the majority of internal audit functions do not fully comply with the standards and, as a result, are not servicing the needs of their organizations as well as they might. Internal Audit Quality offers a roadmap to internal audit quality, providing readers the guidance they need to:

• Embed quality into all elements of internal audit from strategic and operational planning down to day-to-day tasks
• Create well-defined internal audit programs and procedures
• Independently self-assess internal audit quality and performance
• Conform with the IIA standards and better practice
• Provide assurance over internal audit efficiency and effectiveness
• Deliver value by meeting stakeholder expectations

As a key component of good governance, internal audit is on the rise. The days of retrospective, compliance-focused auditing is a thing of the past. Organizations expect more of internal audit, and many internal audit activities are accepting the challenge. Rather than relying on audit supervision and external assessments, modern auditors are embedding quality into audit activities to create effective programs. For the auditor looking to distinguish themselves as leading edge, Internal Audit Quality provides the guidance that enables the right work, at the right time, in the right way.

Spis treści

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xix

PART I INTERNAL AUDIT AND QUALITY

CHAPTER 1 The Various Faces of Internal Audit 3

History 3

The Institute of Internal Auditors 4

Types of Internal Audit Functions 5

Internal Auditing in Different Sectors and Organizations 5

Internal Audit Standards 8

Conclusion 11

References 11

CHAPTER 2 Quality, Performance, and Value 13

Understanding Quality, Performance, and Value 13

Quality Management Systems: Deming, Juran, and TQM 14

Models for Measuring Performance 18

Conclusion 21

References 21

PART II DEVELOPING THE QUALITY ASSURANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

CHAPTER 3 Developing a Quality Framework 25

The Link between Quality, Performance, and Value 25

Drivers of Quality 26

A Structured Approach to Quality 30

Developing Performance Measures for Internal Audit 32

Responsibility for Internal Audit Quality 37

Creating a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program 41

Reporting on Quality 43

Questions about the Quality Framework 44

Conclusion 45

References 45

CHAPTER 4 Internally Assessing Quality 47

Ongoing Internal Monitoring and Maturity Models 47

Processes for Embedding Quality 51

Periodic Internal Assessments: Health Checks 53

Client Satisfaction 56

Benchmarking the Internal Audit Function 57

Questions about Internal Assessments 59

Conclusion 60

References 60

CHAPTER 5 Externally Assessing Quality 61

What Is an External Assessment? 61

Why Have an External Assessment? 62

Types of Assessments 64

Questions about External Assessments 70

Conclusion 71

References 71

PART III INTERNAL AUDIT GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES

CHAPTER 6 Internal Audit Strategy and Planning 75

Strategic Planning as a Key Input of the Internal Audit Function 75

Vision 78

Internal Audit s Value Proposition 78

Planning to Deliver Value 85

Assessing Risks Associated with the Internal Audit Function 86

Resource Planning 87

Business Continuity Planning 89

Questions about the Internal Audit Function s Strategy and Planning Processes 90

Conclusion 92

References 92

CHAPTER 7 Areas of Responsibility and Nature of Work 95

Types of Engagements 95

Assurance 97

Consulting 103

Nature of Work 106

Audit Support Activities 117

Questions about the Internal Audit Function s Areas of Responsibility and Nature of Work 118

Conclusion 120

References 120

CHAPTER 8 Internal Audit Charter 123

Internal Audit Mandate and Purpose 123

Strategic Context 124

Structure and Position 124

Independence 128

Authority 131

Internal Audit Charter 133

Questions about the Quality of the Internal Audit Charter 135

Conclusion 137

References 137

PART IV INTERNAL AUDIT STAFFING

CHAPTER 9 Internal Audit Staffing 141

Overview of the Staffing Element 142

Capability Planning for the Internal Audit Workforce 142

Flexible Work Practices 149

Recruitment and Retention 151

Service Delivery Models 155

Role of the Chief Audit Executive 163

Questions about the Quality of Internal Audit Staffing Practices 165

Conclusion 167

References 168

CHAPTER 10 Managing and Measuring Staff Performance 169

Professional Attributes 169

Performance Management Processes 172

Team Development 174

Individual Professional Development 177

Professional Membership and Involvement 180

Questions about the Quality of Internal Audit Staff Development Processes 180

Conclusion 183

References 184

PART V INTERNAL AUDIT PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES

CHAPTER 11 Internal Audit Professional Practice 187

Elements of Internal Audit Professional Practice 187

Stages in the Internal Audit Process 190

Internal Audit Policies and Procedures 190

Questions about Internal Audit Policies and Procedures 199

Conclusion 200

References 201

CHAPTER 12 Annual Audit Planning 203

Value–Added Planning 203

Applying an Objectives–Based Approach to Audit Planning 204

Understanding the Organization s Business 204

Applying a Risk–Based Approach to Audit Planning 205

Auditable Areas and the Audit Universe 211

Assurance Mapping 213

Resource Allocation 217

Annual Audit Plan Formats 219

Communication and Approval 220

Questions about Annual Audit Planning 221

Conclusion 223

References 223

CHAPTER 13 Planning the Engagement 225

Purpose of Engagement Planning 225

Client Engagement 227

Objectives, Criteria, and Scope 229

Environmental Scanning 234

Aligning Engagements to Key Risks 234

Methodology 237

Resourcing and Milestones 244

Assessing Risks to the Audit Engagement 245

Approval of the Engagement Plan 246

Questions about Planning the Engagement 247

Conclusion 248

References 248

CHAPTER 14 Performing the Engagement 249

Audit Evidence 249

Interviews 252

Analyzing Information Collected 255

Engagement Findings 257

Efficient Fieldwork 260

Management and Supervision 260

Working Papers 262

Questions about Performing the Engagement 264

Conclusion 265

References 266

CHAPTER 15 Communication and Influence 267

Understanding Stakeholder Needs 267

Communication versus Influence 271

Engagement Communications 276

Follow–Up 288

Communicating the Acceptance of Risk 290

Questions about Communication and Influence 290

Conclusion 293

References 293

CHAPTER 16 Knowledge Management and Marketing 295

Knowledge Management 295

Marketing 298

Questions about Knowledge Management and Marketing 303

Conclusion 304

References 304

CHAPTER 17 Quality and the Small Audit Shop 305

What Is a Small Audit Shop? 305

Delivering Value in a Small Audit Shop 305

Quality Challenges for Small Audit Shops Related to Governance Structures 307

Quality Challenges for Small Audit Shops Related to Staffing 309

Quality Challenges for Small Audit Shops Related to Professional Practices 311

Conclusion 315

References 315

Appendix A International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing 317

Appendix B List of Quality Questions 323

Appendix C List of Key Performance Indicators 345

Glossary 351

About the Author 365

Index 367

O autorze

SALLY–ANNE PITT is recognized as a global expert in audit quality. She is the Managing Partner of Pitt Group, a consulting firm specializing in assurance and evaluation services, where her key audit clients include major Australian government departments. Between 2008 and 2012, Sally–Anne oversaw the external quality assessment program for the Institute of Internal Auditors Australia, and she helped author the IIA′s 2012 Practice Guide: Quality Assurance and Improvement Program. Sally–Anne has under–taken in excess of 60 external quality assessments of Australian and global orga–nizations from the public, financial, mining, telecommunications, and not–for–profit sectors.

Blurb

INTERNAL AUDIT QUALITY

Major corporate and financial collapses over the past decade have highlighted the value of internal audit. With an increased focus on internal audit′s role in good governance, management is demanding that internal audit provides assurance of the quality of its own activities. The IIA standards provide a framework for audit quality in the form of mandatory guidance. However, recent research indicates that the majority of internal audit functions do not fully conform with the standards and, as a result, are not servicing the needs of their organizations as well as they might.

Written by an expert in internal audit quality assurance, Internal Audit Quality provides a roadmap for delivering quality and value aligned with the latest International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. Conformance with global standards is increasingly important in orga–nizations of all sizes. Internal Audit Quality is the only guide that provides practical suggestions for achieving conformance as well as common quality traps that can lead to nonconformance.

The resources in Internal Audit Quality make the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) implementation process fast and efficient. Each chapter contains a list of quality questions that can guidethe assessment process, and Sally–AnnePitt explains the basis of internal audit performance in a way that can be clearly communicated to stakeholders.

In all, Internal Audit Quality is poised to become the authoritative guide to better practice internal auditing. Increasing the maturity of internal audit will require a thorough understanding of quality and value as well as knowledge of strategy, governance, people management, and audit processes. More than that, it will require an ability to communicate effectively with senior management and the board, ensuring that stakeholder expectations are understood and met. This is the primary goal of the QAIP, and reading this book is a major step toward achieving this goal.