Internal Auditor's Handbook

The most comprehensive guide to internal audit available, this book is a must-have for internal audit departments, an ideal resource for external advisors and essential reading for those studying internal audit. Internal audit is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation's operations, detect risks and minimise their impact on an organisation. Using this book, internal auditors can be confident they help their organisation accomplish its objectives through a systematic, disciplined approach to risk management, control and governance processes. The second edition is vastly expanded and includes the very latest Institute of Internal Auditors Standards. This update also takes account of the trend towards risk-based internal auditing: whilst board's expect internal audit to assure the adequacy of internal control systems, they are increasingly asking the internal audit team to focus on the most important, relevant issues to the business. Internal audit now more than ever has to juggle risk and control with the need to be pragmatic and efficient. This handbook covers the theory, methods and practice of internal auditing, and includes chapters on specialist areas such as IT and environmental auditing. As well as looking at the complete process - from planning to report writing and beyond - this title examines the principles and purpose of the internal audit, taking in independence, objectivity and quality assurance. The handbook's structure corresponds to the structure of the Institute of Internal Auditors' Standards - which have been adopted throughout the world including within the UK and are the foundations of the international Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and UK examinations (PIIA and MIIA). Apart from being a practitioner guide for use anywhere in the world, the handbook is also an essential textbook for trainees to taking these exams.