About IIA Advocacy
The IIA's strategic plan promises to raise the profile of and demand for internal audit and ensure the profession is recognized as an indispensable resource by key stakeholders. A principle tool for accomplishing this goal is advocacy.
Successful advocacy means honing and promoting key messages to inform and promote the fundamental elements that make an organization’s internal audit function an essential element in effective governance.
- Internal audit makes organizations stronger. Properly positioned internal audit functions that are independent, well-resourced, and aligned with an organizational strategy make for effective internal audit. When internal audit is effective, it makes the organization stronger.
- The IIA’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing provide the foundation for high-quality audits that help ensure complete, accurate, and reliable information is reported to the governing body and stakeholders. The Standards are a mandatory element of The IIA’s International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), which includes the Code of Ethics, Core Principles, and the Definition of Internal Auditing.
- The IIA's Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and remains the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competence and professionalism in the internal audit field. CIAs demonstrate proficiency in the profession and are better equipped to deliver high-quality audits in accordance with the Standards.
The Three Lines Model
The Three Lines Model describes how the accountability of the governing body, actions by management, and independent assurance by internal audit provide the foundation for effective governance. It also shows how the Six Principles assist in an evaluation of the respective roles and responsibilities in an organization. The application of the model’s core elements and Six Principles varies for every organization, according to its goals, resources, and circumstances. The model helps organizations identify structures, design processes, and assign responsibilities that best assist the achievement of objectives.
Core Messages
Effective governance requires an independent internal audit to provide advice and assurance from within the organization. Internal audit must be objective to establish credibility and authority, secured through organizational independence. Download core messages to communicate the value of internal audit.
Core Messages for the Profession of Internal Auditing
Advocacy at The IIA
At The IIA, advocacy is actively reaching out on behalf of internal auditors everywhere to promote and elevate the value of the work they do and to educate and influence key stakeholders. The Institute is hard at work in developing relationships that broaden the business world’s understanding of internal auditing and of The IIA as the profession’s global voice, acknowledged leader, recognized authority, and principal educator. Engaging with stakeholders at the local, national, and regional levels is vital to The IIA’s advocacy efforts. Within this context, stakeholders include oversight bodies, regulators, government officials, standard-setting bodies, board of directors, audit committee members, executive management, external auditors, shareholders, customers, and the business community at large.
The IIA and its 110 Institutes throughout the world are advocating internal auditing by building and maintaining long-term relationships and are currently working with many U.S. and global organizations.
What are the Desired End Results of Our Advocacy Efforts?
The IIA’s desired results are to:
- Influence standard-setting bodies, oversight entities, regulators, and other stakeholders to endorse or adopt the Standards.
- Ensure that internal auditing is at the governance table and is acknowledged as a cornerstone of effective governance.
- Ensure that the internal auditing profession is universally recognized.
The IIA’s International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) Oversight Council serves as an independent evaluator and advisor to the IIA Global Board of Directors on the rigor of The IIA’s standard-setting process. This international council is charged with monitoring the process for developing the IPPF’s authoritative guidance for internal auditing professionals around the world.
Organizations represented on the Oversight Council include:
- International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
- International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI)
- World Bank
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- National Association of Corporate Directors NACD
The council’s oversight places additional rigor on top of The IIA’s existing standard-setting process.
Value Proposition
The IIA’s vision is to be the global voice of the internal audit profession: advocating its value, promoting best practices, and providing exceptional service to its members. The IIA has developed an easy-to-read value proposition that you can share with multiple audiences in understanding and promoting the profession.
Promoting the Profession
On behalf of the internal audit profession and IIA members, The IIA works tirelessly to elevate the profession and enhance professionalism. Building awareness of the value of internal auditing is a key component of The IIA’s advocacy efforts. The IIA offers a variety of resources designed to support your efforts in promoting the profession.
The IIA's Press Room
Find the latest IIA news about internal auditing in The IIA's Press Room.