Operational Auditing: Principles and Techniques for a Changing World Flashcards
Internal audit has undergone a significant transformation, adapting to changes in management and organizational behavior.
True
What challenged the standard model?
Globalization, technological advancements, and a new business model
What is the disadvantage of the standard model?
It limited creativity and adaptability.
Why did many internal auditors become irrelevant?
They missed the changes and were slow to adapt to the changing landscape.
What happened when the standard model has became impractical?
- Irrelevance of auditors
- Loss of confidence of management and board of directors in internal audit functions that focused on outdated practices and failed to provide valuable insights.
- Managers questioned the value of internal audits, finding them overly focused on compliance and lacking in strategic relevance - disenchantment.
What are the three (3) new era of audit?
- Stakeholder focus
- Risk-based Approach
- Integrated Auditing
Why did the focus of internal audit shifted toward broader organizational objectives?
Due to the emergence of stakeholder theory and corporate governance principles.
What is the risk-based approach?
It focuses on identifying and mitigating risks that could impact the organization’s goals.
What is integrated auditing?
It combines operational, financial, and compliance audits. It became essential for providing a comprehensive view of organizational performance.
Give three (3) importance of operational audits
- Strategic Alignment
- Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Risk Mitigation
How does Operational audit help in strategic alignment?
Operational audits help ensure that business processes are aligned with strategic objectives and contribute to organizational success.
How does operational audit result in efficiency and effectiveness?
Operational audits identify opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of business processes.
How does operational audit result in risk mitigation?
Operational audits help identify and mitigate operational risks that could impact the organization’s performance and reputation.
What is the future of internal audit?
- Data Analytics - leverage data analytics to gain deeper insights into organizational performance and identify emerging risks.
- Technology Expertise - Need to develop expertise in emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain, to effectively audit complex systems.
- Strategic Advisory - IA will evolve from a compliance function to a strategic advisor, providing insights and recommendations to support organizational goals.
What are the key takeways? (3)
- Adaptability - adaptable and responsive to changing business environment.
- Risk-based Approach - Essential for identifying and mitigating risks that could impact organizational success.
- Strategic Alignment - IA should be aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives and contribute to its overall success.