Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation's operations. It helps an organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.

Professionalism

Internal auditors are expected to apply and uphold the following principles:

Integrity

The integrity of internal auditors establishes trust and thus provides the basis for reliance on their judgment.

Objectivity

Internal auditors exhibit the highest level of professional objectivity in gathering, evaluating, and communicating information about the activity or process being examined. Internal auditors make a balanced assessment of all the relevant circumstances and are not unduly influenced by their own interests or by others in forming judgments.

Confidentiality

Internal auditors respect the value and ownership of information they receive and do not disclose information without appropriate authority unless there is a legal or professional obligation to do so.

Competency

Internal auditors apply the knowledge, skills, and experience needed in the performance of internal auditing services.

Professional Qualification

The Institute of Internal Auditor's affiliates around the globe provide widely recognised certifications like the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and national titles for internal auditors willing to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Once certified, internal auditors are required to maintain continued professional education.

Quality

Internal audit functions maintain quality assurance and improvement programs covering all aspects of the internal audit activity, and continuously monitoring its effectiveness.

This program includes periodic internal and external quality assessments and ongoing internal monitoring.

Each part of the program is designed to help the internal auditing activity add value and improve the organisation’s operations and to provide assurance that the internal audit activity is in conformity with the Standards and the Code of Ethics.