The need for the independence of internal auditors has become more imminent than ever as they play key roles in ensuring the overall well-being of operations within an organisation.
In spite of their significant roles, internal auditors are usually faced with a myriad of challenges as people have limited information about the work they do.
Speaking at a media launch of an awareness creation month for the profession by the Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana, IIA in Accra, President of the Institute, Daniel Quampah said Internal auditing is not only vital in safeguarding resources of an organisation but essential to governance as well.
He intimated that duties of an internal auditor include reviewing an organisation’s business processes and protecting against fraud and theft “Internal Auditors Ghana said it does not exist to catch criminals in any organization but rather, to ensure compliance”.
Also, the duties of the profession, he noted, foster trust, transparency and accountability. “Hence it is important to create awareness to demystify the myths surrounding the profession.”
Mr. Quampah stressed the need for internal auditors to keep training themselves to enable them to remain effective as the profession goes through a changing phase globally.
Chairman of Certification Committee of the Institute, Joseph Zumasigee who spoke about some of the myths of internal auditing, emphasised the importance of ensuring that officers are well resourced to enable them to carry out their duties diligently.
“Myths surrounding internal auditors such as they are accountants by training, nitpickers and fault-finders, corporate police, among other things, are only perceptions by the general public and are untrue,” Mr. Zumagee explained.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) was established in 1941, headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, USA, and formerly registered in Ghana in May 2005, under the Professional Bodies Registration Decree 1973 (NRCD 143). Its members work in internal auditing, risk management, governance, education, security, internal control, among others.
Story: Mabel Adorkor Annang.
