Internal Audit Process Flashcards
What is an audit?
Is an examination to verify the correctness of representations
What do internal auditor audits?
The reasonableness of financial information an the adequacy and effectiveness of internal control activities
True or False
A list of criteria is also required by the internal auditor to determine weather he/she is satisfied with a business unit/process
True
To audit is thus to:
- Set up a list of criteria which you see as acceptable (“What should be in place”)
- Measure the reality (condition) against these criteria (“What is in place”)
- Obtain evidence to support your findings
What do internal audit refer an audit as?
An audit engagement
What does assurance services refer to?
To compliance audit engagements, financial audit engagements, operational audit engagements and system security audit engagements
What does consulting services refer to?
- To advisory and related client service activities
- Counselling
- Providing advice
- Facilitation
- Training
Which levels within an organisation an audit engagement can be conducted?
- Strategic level
- Business level
- Operational/Functional level
True or False
The internal auditor needs to understand the organization’s vision, mission, specific organizational objectives as well as strategies to achieve the set objectives
True
Why should the internal auditor need to understand the organization’s vision, mission specific organizational objectives and strategies to achieve the set objectives?
The internal auditor will use these organizational objectives to do a risk assessment and determine the specific engagement objectives
What is an vision statement?
A statement about what the organization wants to become: thus something the organization aspires to
What is an mission statement?
Defines the purpose of the organization; thus what an organization does. The mission is broken down into strategic objective for each business unti/process
Who are responsible for determining a vision and mission for the organization as a whole and for determining the strategic organizational objectives?
The senior management
What should the internal audit plan specify?
The engagement objectives to be achieved by the internal audit when performing assurance or consulting engagements
How should the internal audit plan be structured?
In such a way that the engagement objectives relate to the achievement of the overall organizational objectives
What is the strategic level audit engagement?
(Objective) of the organization
What is the strategic level organizational objectives?
To ensure the (objective/control) of the organization
Disclose operational business unit organizational objectives
To ensure an effective (department division)
State operational business process audit engagement
(Specific control process)
Disclose organizational objectives
To ensure an effective (control process)
True or False
Some organization are subject to certain risk or threats that could prevent the organization achieving its organizational objectives
False
All organization are subject to certain risk or threats that could prevent the organization achieving its organizational objectives
How is the risk of the organization determined>
- First determine the objectives that were set by management.
- After objectives are set by management, the risks threatening the achievement of objectives can be identified
What is engagement objectives according to the Standards?
Are board statements developed by internal auditors that define intended engagement accomplishments
What should the engagement objectives address?
The risks associated with the business unit/process under review
State 2200 Engagement planning
Internal auditor must develop and document a plan for each engagement including the engagement’s objectives, scope, timing and resource allocations. The plan must consider the organisation’s strategies, objectives, and risks relevant to the engagement.
State 2300 Performing the engagement
Internal auditors must identify, analyze, evaluate and record sufficient information to achieve the engagement
State 2400 Communicating results
Internal auditors should communicate the engagement results promptly
State Monitoring progress
The CAE should establish and maintain a system to monitor the disposition of results communicated to management
What should the written engagement plan address? (2200 engagement planning)
The scope/volume of work to be performed, taking into account any specific management requests, the risk assessment and background information about the engagement client obtained during a preliminary survey
What should be documented in an engagement work programme?
The specific engagement objectives to be achieved and the engagement procedure to be performed
What is the objective of stage 2: Performing the engagement?
The objective of this stage is to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence regarding the engagement objectives that were set and to measure this evidence against the acceptable criteria
What else is included in the engagement procedures (stage 2 : performing the engagement)?
Include testing and sampling techniques performed by the internal auditor to gather evidence, must, where possible, be selected up-front and extended or altered as circumstances require
What does stage 3: communicating results involve?
Disseminating the results of the audit engagement in the form of an internal audit engagement report
What should be measured against the acceptable criteria in stage 3: communicating results?
After analyzing an evaluating the evidence gathered regarding the engagement objectives, this evidence should be measured against the acceptable criteria
Which form is the findings or engagement observations communicated to the relevant parties? (stage 3: communicating results)
In the form of an internal audit report, and high light, amongst other things, any weaknesses in the processes, risks associated with these weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement
What is required by the internal audit in stage 4: monitoring progress?
After the audit engagement investigate whether the implementation and improvement of processes as recommended in the internal audit engagement report have been addressed
What should the internal auditor establish in stage 4: monitoring progress?
The internal auditor must establish whether any correctives measures have been taken by management and whether or not these measures are achieving the desired results or that the management or board of directors has accepted the risk in cases where no corrective measures have been taken
What engagements should be drawn up when addressed in the engagement programme? (2200 engagement planning)
- It must document the procedures followed for collecting, analysing, interpreting and documenting information during the engagement
- It must state the objectives of the engagement
- It must identify the technical aspects, risks, processes and transactions that should be examined
- It must state the nature and extent of testing required