ISO Internal Auditing
People often ask, is an internal audit necessary? What if we’re a smaller organization, should we be spending our already limited resources on an internal audit program? If your clients depend on you to provide efficient, compliant, and secure services, then the answer is a People often ask, is
an internal audit necessary? What if we’re a smaller organization, should we be spending our already limited resources on an internal audit program? If your clients depend on you to provide efficient, compliant, and secure services, then the answer is a resounding “yes”. Internal auditing is an important function of any information security and compliance program and is a valuable tool for effectively and appropriately managing risk. Are we ensuring we are doing what we say we’re doing? Are there gaps in our policies and procedures? Are there any areas for improvement? Are we meeting our compliance goals? These important questions are addressed through internal auditing.
According to the Institute of Internal Auditors, “the role of internal audit is to provide independent assurance that an organization’s risk management, governance, and internal control processes are operating effectively.” An internal audit is conducted objectively and designed to improve and mature an organization’s business practices.
The purpose of auditing internally is to provide insight into an organization’s culture, policies, procedures, and aids board and management oversight by verifying internal controls such as operating effectiveness, risk mitigation controls, and compliance with any relevant laws or regulations
Internal auditing programs are critical for monitoring and assuring that all of your business assets have been properly secured and safeguarded from threats. It is also important for verifying that your business processes reflect your documented policies and procedures. Let’s take a look at five reasons why internal auditing is important.
You can’t audit your own work without having a definite conflict of interest. Your internal auditor, or internal audit team, cannot have any operational responsibility to achieve this objective insight. In situations where smaller companies don’t have extra resources to devote to this, it’s acceptable to cross-train employees in different departments to be able to audit another department. By providing an independent and unbiased view, the internal audit function adds value to your organization.
By objectively reviewing your organization’s policies and procedures, you can receive assurance that you are doing what your policies and procedures say you are doing, and that these processes are adequate in mitigating your unique risks. By continuously monitoring and reviewing your processes, you can identify control recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these processes. In turn, allowing your organization to be dependent on processes, rather than people.
An internal audit program assists management and stakeholders by identifying and prioritizing risks through a systematic risk assessment. A risk assessment can help to identify any gaps in the environment and allow for a remediation plan to take place. Your internal audit program will help you to track and document any changes that have been made to your environment and ensure the mitigation of any found risks.
Internal auditing is beneficial because it improves the control environment of the organization by assessing efficiency and operating effectiveness. Are your controls fulfilling their purpose? Are they adequate in mitigating risk?
By regularly performing an internal audit, you can ensure compliance with any and all relevant laws and regulations. It can also help provide you with peace of mind that you are prepared for your next external audit. Gaining client trust and avoiding costly fines associated with non-compliance makes internal auditing an important and worthwhile activity for your organization.
Training, Certification, and Consultancy
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS)
- ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS)
- ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS)
- Documentation (SOP, WI)
- Training (Risk-Based Awareness, Internal Auditors)
- Monitoring (Objectives & Targets)
- Internal audits (Guide and Mentor)
- Preparation of Manuals, Flowcharts
- Training, Guiding, Mentoring
- Assistance in Identifying Risks & Opportunities
- Save Money, Time, and Resources from certification bodies * (UKAS accredited, JAS-ANZ accredited)
- ISO 13485 Medical Devices QMS
- IATF 16949 Automotive QMS
- AS 9100 Rev D Aerospace QMS
- ISO 22000 FSMS
- ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratories
- ISO 27001 ISMS
- ISO 17020 Performing Inspection
- ISO 31000 Lead Risk Manager
- ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS)
- Other ISO as required.
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