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The Internal Audit Function in the Public Sector Seeuws Katleen. Presentation Content. Internal Audit Standards Definition of Internal Audit Purpose of Internal A udit Internal Audit Stakeholders Content of I nternal A udit Services Key Apects for A dding Value
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The Internal Audit Function in the Public Sector Seeuws Katleen
Presentation Content • Internal Audit Standards • Definition of Internal Audit • Purpose of InternalAudit • Internal Audit Stakeholders • Content of InternalAudit Services • KeyApectsforAdding Value • Centralized versus DecentralizedStructure • CurrentDevelopments • Conclusions
International Audit Standards • Mandatoryandstronglyrecommendedguidance • - Definition • - International Standards • - Code of Ethics • PerformanceandAttributeStandards • (IPPF – Institute of Internal Auditors)
Definition of Internal Audit • Internal audit is an independent and objectiveassurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the organisation’s operations. • It helps the organisation in achieving its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the risk management, control and governance processes. • (IPPF – Institute of Internal Auditors)
Purpose of Internal Audit Independent Objective Accomplishobjectives Risk, control, governance Systematic approach Evaluation Professional judgement Competence Quality Control ADDED VALUE
Content of Internal Audit Services • Assurance services Opinion or conclusion • Consultancy services Advise • Opinion or adviceon: • - Controls • - Risk management • - Governance
KeyAspectsforAdding Value • Independence andobjectivity • Relationwith management • Control environment • Audituniverseand scope • Qualitiyassuranceandmethodology • Resources
Independence • Standards – legalframework - Auditcharter • Positionwithin the organisation • Public accesstoreports • Recources • Auditplanning • Presence of anAudit Committee • Objectivity → auditors • Selection, evaluationanddismissal • Formation – certification • Ethicalcode
Relationwithmanagement • Confidentiality • Auditplanning considers management concerns • Reporting • Facilitatesaccountability
Audituniverseand scope • Limitations in legislativeframework • Maturity level of internal control • Types of audits: • - Performance audit • - Compliance audit • - Financial audit • - Operational audit (incl. IT audit) • - System audit (financial and non financial) • - Due diligence audit • Crosscuttingprocesses • Fraudeinvestigations
Resources • Scarcerecources, efficiency considerations • Staff • - Presence of qualifiedandspecializedstaff • - Mobility • - Rotationobligation • Outsourcing
QualityAssurance • Internalandexternalevaluations • StandardsandEthical Code • Efficiencyandeffectiveness of Internal Audit • Measure performance • ImproveInternal Audit activities
Centralized versus DecentralizedStructure • Strategicandpoliticalchoice • (effectiveness versus efficiency) • Centralized or decentralizedpolicy execution • Positioncloseto the highest executive level
Currentdevelopments • New technologies • Comprehensive audit • More focus on risk management and governance • Use for strategic planning
Conclusions • Importance of the Standards • Focus on adding value • Adequate fulfillment of key aspects • Internal role as a business partner • Be aware of changing conditions
Thankyouforyour attention ! Anyquestions…