This segment is designed to delve deeper into the Performance Standards as they relate to conducting internal audit projects.
The Institute of Internal Auditors promulgates standards by which the profession of internal auditing is guided. Segment One and Two of this series covered important aspects internal auditors should be aware of in relation to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Attribute Standards and the elements of the Performance Standards that related and to managing the internal audit function and the nature of work for internal audit. The final elements of the Performance Standards provide internal auditors with a relevant framework to properly execute engagements. It is critical internal auditors have an understanding of the various aspects of the audit and the framework outlined by the IIA.
Although the Standards do provide specific templates on the elements that should be evaluated in each stage of the audit, they provide critical guidance on requirements internal auditors should consider during the various phases. Understanding and following this guidance will ensure audit engagements are executed consistently and effectively.
This segment is designed to delve deeper into the Performance Standards as they relate to conducting internal audit projects. This includes: • Engagement Planning • Performing the Engagement • Communicating Results • Monitoring Progress • Communicating the Acceptance of risks
Lynn Fountain has over 45 years of experience spanning public accounting, corporate accounting and consulting. 24 years of her experience has been working in the areas of internal and external auditing. She is a subject matter expert in multiple fields including internal audit, ethics, fraud evaluations, Sarbanes-Oxley, enterprise risk management, governance, financial management and compliance. Ms. Fountain has held two Chief Audit Executive positions for international companies. In 2011, as the Chief Audit Executive for an international construction/ engineering firm, she was involved in the active investigation of a joint venture fraud. The investigation included work with the FBI and ultimately led to indictment of the perpetrators and recovery of $13M. Ms. Fountain is currently engaged in her own training and consulting business and is a regular trainer for the AICPA. Ms. Fountain is the author of three separate technical books. “Raise the Red Flag – The Internal Auditors Guide to Fraud Evaluations” was published by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation. -“Leading The Internal Audit Function” and -“Ethics and The Internal Auditor Political Dilemma” were published by Taylor & Francis In addition Ms. Fountain was a contributing author to the certification program exam for the National Association of Accountants. She also has certificate programs on various on-line platforms. Ms. Fountain has performed as an adjunct instructor for the School of Business for Grantham University and developed the first internal audit curriculum for the School of Business at the University of Kansas. Ms. Fountain obtained her BSBA from Pittsburg State University and her MBA from Washburn University in Kansas. She has her CGMA, CRMA credentials and CPA certificate (non-active).
Provincial regulators of CPAs in Canada do not require that independent providers of CPD be approved to offer courses. Instead, individual CPAs are responsible for assessing whether a CPD activity meets their requirements, and may take activities from any source provided those requirements are met.
Every course offered on LearnFormula is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, and advances learning objectives that are relevant to the responsibilities or professional competencies of Canadian CPAs. All activities on LearnFormula are quantifiable in terms of hours, and are also verifiable, in that users receive documented evidence of their attendance via a certificate of completion after finishing a course (and this certificate is stored by LearnFormula indefinitely). Nearly 100,000 Canadian CPAs successfully satisfy their CPD requirements via LearnFormula on an annual basis.
