1. About Us
Internal Audit Function
The internal audit department is an independent management function, which involves a continuous and critical appraisal of the functioning of MJQE with a view to suggest improvements thereto and add value to and strengthen the overall governance processes, risk management and internal control system.
Vision
To be a trusted and innovative internal audit service provider.
Internal Audit Mission
The mission of the internal audit department is to provide the MJQE Board of Directors and Management with an assurance that MJQE performance are maintained at a satisfactory level; that the internal control systems are appropriate, efficient and effective; that risk exposures have been identified and acted upon; and that government legislation and MJQE policies and procedures are being complied with.
Principles and Standards of Internal audit
Accountability
The Internal Audit Department is accountable to the MJQE in order to:
2. Internal Audit Services
The Audit Process
The audit process is divided into four phases, namely: audit engagement planning, audit execution, audit reporting, and audit follow-up. For each phase, there are specific criteria to ensure a successful audit engagement.
Audit Engagement Planning
Audit requires good planning. Planning entails familiarization with the objectives, processes, risks and controls of the auditee and activity to be audited, and developing a strategy and approach in conducting the audit. It is the most important part of the audit as the success of an audit depends on how well it has been planned. The summary of the steps involved in audit engagement planning:
Planning is an iterative process with the following important purposes:
Audit engagement planning is the third stage of planning, after strategic planning and annual work planning. It involves the listing down of audit activities per audit engagement based on the AWP. The results of the strategic planning shall be validated to determine if there are relevant changes in the control component, systems and processes.
Audit Execution
Execution of the audit is initiated with an entry conference to discuss the focus, requirements and timelines of the audit. It involves performing the audit techniques and procedures enumerated in the audit work program to gather data and pieces of evidence, to achieve the stated audit objective/s. During audit execution, if the auditor finds a need to revise the audit work program, the revision should be submitted to the internal audit director for approval. The IAD uses the audit work program to supervise and monitor the progress of the audit and to check whether the team is generating sufficient and appropriate pieces of (substantial) evidence. The summary of the steps involved in audit execution:
Audit Reporting
Audit reporting represents the culmination of the audit execution and the associated analysis and considerations made during the audit. The audit report sets out the findings in appropriate format; provides the pieces of evidence gathered to arrive at the audit finding, and the recommendations. The summary of the steps involved in audit execution:
Audit Follow Up
Follow-up is a monitoring and feedback activity undertaken to ensure the extent and adequacy of preventive/corrective actions taken by the management to address the inadequacies identified during the audit. It aims to be increase the probability that recommendations will be implemented. The summary of the steps involved in audit follow up:
Types of audits
These services may be performed in conjunction with one of the service areas described below:
Annual Required Engagements
An audit or review performed each year in compliance with regulatory requirements or Board of Governor mandates. In certain instances to achieve efficiencies, these audits may be performed biannually. These engagements are generally performed at these intervals in response to a specific management request or based upon heightened risk considering the nature of the activities.
A planned engagement represents an engagement included in the Operating Audit Plan for the current calendar year. A planned engagement will generally be categorized as one or more of the following types of audits:
Full Scope
While each of the above engagement types has distinct goals and objectives, many audits include aspects of each of these areas to provide thorough coverage of the unit under review.
Audit Frequency
Limited Scope
Audit Frequency – Upon request
Consulting Services
Consulting services frequently involve participation on special projects generally related to MJQE process improvement initiatives. Internal Audit participates on these projects in various consultative roles involving the review of internal controls and operational efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed process. Our internal auditors frequently provide a global perspective to the project teams while simultaneously learning the new process and helping to build in quality control proactively in the developmental stages rather than requesting revisions upon implementation. The scope of these projects varies with each initiative. Participation in these projects helps Internal Audit to directly accomplish its mission of providing an objective consulting activity that is designed to add value and improve the MJQE’s operations.