A highly effective internal audit group’s value to an organization is directly related to its independence and competence in fulfilling its charter. To function optimally, an internal audit group needs unrestricted access to the subject matter it is reviewing, a clear reporting path to an independent overseer, and must possess the essential skills and capabilities required of this ever demanding and evolving profession. In this course, we’ll review the optimal structure(s) of high performance internal audit departments, including the major roles and responsibilities of the group and its key members, as well as, its critical reporting authority within an organization. The course will also address how an internal audit group’s charter, other governing documents, and practices, define the nature of its value adding services, and establish a sound administrative framework to support its ongoing functional activities and growth, including but not limited to, all level personnel training and development.
Learning Objectives
Understand the concepts of independence and objectivity and their practical application from both an internal audit organizational and individual level(s) Identify organizational reporting structures that support internal audit independence Emphasize the range of value-added services that a high impact internal audit group provides Recall key internal audit group roles and responsibilities Identify key elements of effective internal audit group governance and documentation
Major Topics
Independence / objectivity and the internal audit function Internal audit organizational reporting structure(s) Major roles and responsibilities of the internal audit activity and its members Effective oversight of the internal audit group Clarity and alignment of internal audit organizational governance/ documentation and messaging (including its charter, reporting lines/ structure, and policies/ procedures) Required knowledge, skills, and competencies of a high-quality internal audit group Orientation and ongoing training / development needs of internal auditors (at all levels)
