Internal audit charter

Our mission is to enhance and protect organisational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice and insight to our clients.

We will achieve the mission statement through our overall delivery arrangements.  This charter sets out how this is done.

Purpose

We provide:

• an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity.  It is designed to:
  • add value and improve the council’s operations
  • help the council to meet its objectives
  • brings a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes
• the audit committee with information necessary for it to fulfil its own responsibilities and duties.
• support to management to fulfil its own risk, control and compliance responsibilities

Authority

The council is required by law to have an internal audit of its governance, risk and control processes.  Under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 the audit must take into account:

• the public sector internal audit standards (the standards)
• any mandatory guidance

The standards:

• set the basic principles for carrying out internal audit in the public sector
• provide criteria against which quality and performance can be evaluated

An application note for the standards is available on the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA) website.  This note sets out the proper practice for internal audit in local government.

We derive our authority from:

• the standards
• this charter
• the council’s constitution, specifically the financial procedure rules

The head of internal audit (HIA) is the chief audit executive.  The HIA and internal audit staff are authorised to:

• have unrestricted access to all the council’s:
  • records
  • property
  • personnel
  • management
  • elected members
  • partnership services
  • services under contract with external organisations
• receive information and explanations as a result of audit work
• obtain the assistance of council staff in relevant engagements.  This includes other specialised services from within or outside the council.

We have no authority or management responsibility for any of our engagement subjects.

We (and our auditors) will not make any management decisions or engage in any activity which could reasonably be construed to compromise our independence.

Auditors are free from operational system involvement or influence.