IAA compiles guidelines for 2023 risk-based internal audit

The Internal Audit Agency (IAA) organized a two-day workshop in Kumasi on October 24, 2022, to galvanize submissions on guidelines for the preparation of the 2023 Risk-Based Internal Audit (RBIA) Workplan for Public Institutions.

A similar workshop has already been held in Ho, Tamale, Takoradi, Sunyani, and Koforidua, and it is expected to be extended across all regional capitals by the end of the year.

The training program is aimed at equipping staff of the Internal Audit Units (IAUs) with the requisite skills to prepare and submit the 2023 RBIA Workplans on time and in the form and manner that complies with the Agency’s standards.

This is in accordance with Section 83 (4) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) which requires internal auditors to, in consultation with the Principal Spending Officer, prepare an annual risk-based audit work plan of activities required to be performed in a financial year.

Per the mandate of the Authority, the 2023 RBIA workplans must be completed, received by Management, approved by both the Audit Committee and Board and submitted to the IAA not later than January 31, 2023.

Failure constitutes financial indiscipline under PFM Act 2016 (Act 921) and sanctions shall be applied.

Training workshop

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two-day workshop held at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, the Director General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Dr Eric Oduro Osae urged participants to work with Audit Committees to pursue the implementation of recommendations contained in audit reports, including the 2021 Auditor-General’s Report and Management Letter.

Also present were William Offei-Mensah, the Deputy Director-General, Technical & Field Operations, IAA.

“This is also in cognizance of the ongoing reforms in Public Sector Internal Audit (PSIA) which promotes the practice of risk-based internal auditing to prevent and reduce irregularities associated with the management of public funds by moving from Converted Pre-auditing to Risk-Based Auditing”, he noted.

Guidelines

The mandatory thrust areas for consideration, he said included: ensuring the mainstream of performance auditing into key operational areas of covered entities; ensuring compliance with expenditure rationalization, and revenue enhancement measures; and audit implementation of the approved 2023 Budget of MMDC’s in line with the approved guidelines.

He advised internal auditors to work closely with management to reduce irregularities as reported by the Auditor-General, and also ensure that they aid covered entities in managing public funds efficiently and effectively.