IIA IIA-CIA-Part1 - Essentials of Internal Auditing

The scenario where managers who have been with the organization for several decades become aware that newly hired, younger managers are being moved more quickly into senior positions best illustrates a rationalization as the root cause of potential fraud. This situation could lead these managers to feel justified in committing fraud, believing they are undervalued or unfairly treated, which is a common form of rationalization in fraudulent activities.

Fraud triangle theory, which includes rationalization as one of the key elements leading to fraud, as discussed in various IIA resources on fraud and ethical behavior.

According to IIA standards, the nature of consulting services to be performed by internal auditors must be defined in the internal audit charter. This helps ensure clarity and alignment between the internal audit activity's objectives and the organization's expectations, while also providing a framework that guides the consulting services provided by internal auditors.

IIA Standard 1000 - Purpose, Authority, and Responsibility, which includes guidelines on the content of the internal audit charter, including the scope of consulting services.

The best way for internal auditors to demonstrate their proficiency to effectively carry out their professional responsibilities is to obtain appropriate professional certifications or other designations. These credentials, such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), are recognized indicators of an auditor’s commitment to continuing education, professionalism, and adherence to industry standards.

IIA Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and Continuing Professional Education requirements

The most effective type of fraud test for looking for possible fictitious vendors would be running checks to uncover post office box addresses that match employee addresses. This test directly targets a common tactic used in vendor fraud schemes, where employees might set up fictitious vendor accounts and direct payments to themselves via P.O. boxes.

IIA resources on auditing for fraud, which often discuss various methods for detecting fictitious vendors, including address comparisons.

The chief audit executive is required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest of the assessment team in the communication of quality assessment results to senior management and the board. This disclosure is crucial to maintain the credibility and integrity of the quality assessment process, ensuring that the results are viewed as objective and reliable.

IIA Standard on Quality Assurance and Improvement Program

In consulting engagements, according to the IIA's Standards, a work program is not required but may be developed. This allows internal auditors flexibility to design an approach that best fits the nature of the consulting engagement.

The IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards), particularly the standards related to consulting activities.

Information misrepresentation involves the intentional misstatement or omission of important information in the financial reports to deceive users of those reports. In this scenario, the sales director's failure to correct the reserves for unearned income in the department’s performance report, despite knowing it should be adjusted for cancellations, is a clear example of information misrepresentation. This act could lead to misleading stakeholders about the company's financial status, which fits the definition of information misrepresentation fraud.

IIA guidance on types of fraud and their characteristics

According to IIA guidance, ISO 31000 recommends that utilizing a combination of the three primary approaches to the framework (ISO 31000) often provides the most comprehensive insights despite the complexity involved. This approach allows for a more robust and holistic understanding of the organization's risk management practices by integrating multiple perspectives and methodologies.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) provides guidance on utilizing standards such as ISO 31000 in internal audit practices, emphasizing the value of a comprehensive approach.

The auditor's reluctance to apply statistical functions in spreadsheet software indicates a gap in applying analytical and problem-solving skills in complex data environments. This gap relates to critical thinking, which involves understanding logical connections between ideas, identifying the relevance and importance of arguments, and systematically solving problems. Training in critical thinking would equip the auditor to better utilize analytical tools and improve efficiency and effectiveness in auditing tasks.

Internal auditing educational materials on auditor competencies and skills developmentQUESTION NO: 229

Which of the following is a role internal auditors should undertake related to risk management?

A. Evaluate the reporting of key risks

B. Set the risk appetite

C. Implement risk responses on management’s behalf

D. Impose risk management processes

Answer: A

Internal auditors play a crucial role in evaluating the effectiveness of an organization's risk management processes. This includes assessing how well key risks are reported within the organization, whether through formal risk reporting mechanisms or less formal communications. Internal auditors review the processes by which these risks are identified, assessed, and managed, and they ensure that the information about these risks is accurately communicated to relevant stakeholders, including senior management and the board.References: Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF)

When the internal audit activity is found to be in nonconformance with the Code of Ethics or the Standards, the chief audit executive should communicate this matter to the board at the time of the next external assessment. This ensures that the board is aware of the nonconformance and can take appropriate actions to address the issue, maintaining the integrity and accountability of the internal audit function.

IIA standards on governance, which require the chief audit executive to report significant issues related to nonconformance with professional standards and the Code of Ethics to the board and senior management.

Approval of master file change requests by the accounts payable supervisor could have prevented the fraud described. This control ensures that changes to critical financial information, such as vendor payment details, are verified and authorized by a responsible authority, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized alterations and fraud.

IIA guidance on internal controls related to fraud prevention, which emphasizes the importance of control activities such as supervisory approvals for changes in critical financial data to prevent unauthorized transactions.

If the recommendations made by the internal audit activity regarding the organization's risk management function remain unaddressed, the next step should be for the chief audit executive (CAE) to discuss this matter with senior management and the board. This discussion aims to ensure that senior leaders are aware of the unaddressed risks and can take necessary actions to address the internal audit's findings effectively.

The IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, which stipulate the CAE's responsibilities in communicating significant risk exposures and control issues to senior management and the board.

To ensure compliance with an organization's code of conduct, the chief audit executive should act as an advisor to the committee responsible for reviewing violations of the code. This role allows the CAE to contribute expertise and oversight without directly managing the process, which helps maintain the necessary independence and objectivity of the internal audit function.

IIA guidance on the role of the internal audit in governance, particularly relating to compliance with codes of conduct.

Demonstrating due professional care in internal auditing involves thorough planning and executing audit procedures that are appropriate to the scope and objectives of the audit. Option B, planning and executing fieldwork in a complete and timely manner to identify all significant risks, best demonstrates due professional care by ensuring that all relevant risks associated with the organization's assets are identified and addressed. This approach aligns with IIA standards that require auditors to apply knowledge, skills, and experience appropriately in providing assurance services.

IIA Standard 2200: "Due Professional Care"

Expense reimbursement fraud typically involves the theft of assets through the submission of false or inflated expense reports, such as fictitious mileage, travel logs, or meal charges. This type of fraud is categorized under the broader concept of asset misappropriation, where employees use their position to steal from the organization through deceitful acts involving expense claims.

IIA Guidance on Types of Fraud