Internal Audit

Organizations are restructuring, reinventingvalidate, consolidate or change their strategy.
themselves to change their goals and theirThus, internal audit must act within the
processes in order to respond appropriately to aorganization, evaluating the effectiveness of their
changing environment. In this context of changeresults in relation to the resources made available,
and increasing competitiveness in all marketas well as economy and efficiency of internal
segments, organizations seek productivity gainscontrols in place for the management of
and improve their methods and managementresources. Internal audit, to suit new trends have
tools.to be agile and flexible to adopt new features
In this scenario, the audit function is increasinglythat add value to the organization. This flexibility
intervening in the diagnosis of certain situations,facilitates, among others, communication with
including the company's viability, efficiency andstakeholders.
effectiveness of controls and processes, andAdding value is a sum of internal and external
preventing fraud and illegal acts. In this sense, theinterests that enable a gain, not necessarily
role of internal auditing has emerged as a highlyrelated to money, which is well used to
developed function as a reflection of the needscorroborate the management of the organization
and expectations of the organization as a wholeas a whole. Another key turning point for internal
to survive and thrive in the market.audit, is the demystification of the function, from
The Institute of Internal Auditors defines internalbeing seen as a nuisance that is present only to
audit as an activity that is independent, ofpoint out mistakes to be seen as partners in
objective assessment and consulting activityfinding a common result, this is the new culture of
designed to add value and improve operations ofinternal audit.
an organization in achieving its objectives throughThe internal audit profession has been required a
a systematic, disciplined approach in evaluatingnumber of different expertises to the
processes effectiveness of risk management,performance of their business: accounting, field
control and governance.management techniques, total quality, marketing,
This focus on organization is nothing but aorganization and methods, strategic planning,
translation of the developments and changes ininformation technology, human relations, among
the role played by internal audit during the lastothers. The internal audit becomes an active
decade. This change was based on a paradigmcomponent of the company’s internal
shift that left out the traditional function ofmanagement, making that their comments are
financial control / accounting audit, focusing theuseful and essential in finding an appropriate
internal audit function on identifying all the risksmanagement features. Its opinion and critical view
involved in various activities for the organization,of the processes will be based on evidence that
thereby ensuring that the objectives are met aswill provide managers with the proper valuation
efficiently and effectively as possible.techniques used in business management, where
In this sense, it is expected that the internal auditthe acceptance of changes of direction by the
is primarily a tool to support to top managementmanagement depends on how precise that opinion
and to help the organization achieve its objectives.is.
The main objective of the internal audit activityThe success of internal audit is a process of
operates as a management strategic partner,alchemy, bringing together professional auditors
allowing it to serve as an advisor and consultant inthat are intelligent, highly motivated and
the identification of risks and proposing possiblecommitted to the success of the company, with
strategies for action to enable the institution bestthe responsibility to contribute to the maintenance
performance within the sector.of a sound internal control and set the main
Internal auditing is a natural and necessary part ofstrategic objectives of the company. In this
any organization, providing analysis andcontext, the internal audit function is a center of
assessments, perspectives, recommendations,excellence to train highly qualified staff to ensure
results, tips and information on any activity beinga system of effective internal control within the
audited, including the promotion of more effectivecompany and ethical behavior beyond reproach.
control at reasonable cost. Should oversee theTop management should enable these
effectiveness and efficiency of the implementedprofessionals with complete autonomy, trusting
system, revealing weaknesses, determine thethem with information about the current strategy
causes, assess the impact and recommendof the organization so they can their role. A
solutions that bring those responsible to act. Thisstrong and independent internal audit department
is a way to measure resources (human, material,is key in helping the organization achieving its
financial and informational) helping the leadership toobjectives.