Internal Audit Quality

Glossary

Accountability

The obligation to answer for a responsibility that has been conferred. It presumes the existence of at least two parties: one who allocates responsibility and one who accepts it with the undertaking to report upon the manner in which it has been discharged.

Active listening

A technique where the listener feeds information back to the speaker, confirming an understanding of both the content of the message and the emotions and feelings underlying the message, thus ensuring that understanding is accurate. There is a high degree of correlation between the speaker's intended message and what the listener understands.

Add value

Maximize the potential to positively contribute to an organization or activity.

Adequate evidence

Enough relevant and reliable evidence to support findings and conclusions. Adequacy does not, however, indicate that all possible evidence has been obtained.

Analytical auditing procedures

Used to obtain an understanding of an entity and its environment by studying and comparing the relationships of information. They highlight unexpected information and unusual or nonrecurrent transactions or events.

Annual audit planning

Planning that determines the priorities of the internal audit function over a period of time (often over a one- to three-year period).

Appropriate evidence

Relevant and reliable evidence to support findings and conclusions.

Assurance

An objective examination of evidence for the purpose of providing an independent ...