Internal Audit Quality

Chapter 9Internal Audit Staffing

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

—Theodore Roosevelt

Internal auditing is essentially a knowledge-based activity. It is highly reliant on quality internal auditors to produce quality outcomes. Appropriate staffing of the internal audit function is therefore critical.

Effective people management requires a considered approach to resourcing as well as ongoing performance management. Key elements of resourcing will include capability planning, recruitment and retention processes, and consideration of the service delivery model. These elements will be discussed in depth in this chapter. Performance management, including performance and development processes at both the team and individual level, is discussed further in Chapter 10.

Capability planning requires identification of current capabilities and consideration of those that will be needed into the future. Professional activities like internal auditing will have both proficiency and competency elements to capability planning. The specific skills and expertise required for high-value engagements need to be identified and addressed.

In addition to technical competencies, effective internal auditors require a range of characteristics and attributes that allow them to work productively and collaboratively across an organization. An effective team will have a range of ...