Stakeholder expectations of internal audit
Recent events have highlighted the critical role of directors in promoting good corporate governance. In particular, boards are charged with ultimate responsibility for the effectiveness of their organisations’ internal control systems. These events have highlighted the key role that internal audit can play in supporting the board in ensuring adequate oversight of internal controls and the effectiveness of corporate governance.
How an organisation designs and practices the principles of effective governance vary depending on the size, complexity, and life cycle maturity of the organisation, its stakeholder structure or legal and cultural requirements.
The head of internal audit should work with the board and the executive management team, as appropriate, to determine how governance should be defined for internal audit purposes and the extent and expectations of internal audit assurance and consultancy needed to satisfy the internal audit charter.
Internal audit's role
The definition of internal auditing and International Standards identifies that internal audit has a role to play in evaluating and helping to improve governance processes.
The International Standards make specific reference to assessing and making recommendations for:
promoting appropriate ethics and values within the organisation
ensuring effective performance management and accountability
communicating risk and control information
coordinating the activities of the board, external and internal auditors and management, and communicating what they do
The internal audit charter should make reference to the scope of the work of internal audit and this should include corporate governance activities and processes.