Competencies required
Candidates are expected to demonstrate their suitability in both the written application and during the professional discussion. The criteria, based on the IPPF, are shown below together with the evidence that is required, and how each will be assessed.
1. Professionalism
Code of Ethics
1000 Purpose, authority and responsibility
1100 Independence and objectivity
1130 Impairment to independence or objectivity
Competencies
1.1 Upholds the International Standards for internal audit
1.2 Upholds the IIA's Code of Professional Conduct
1.3 Operates with integrity
Evidence
Written application
- The candidate is a member in good standing of the IIA prior to or at the point of CBE application
- The sponsor is person of good professional standing
- The sponsor confirms that he or she has known the candidate in a professional capacity for a minimum of six months and has signed a statement to this effect
- The referees' statements confirm the candidate's professional integrity
- The candidate demonstrates a good working knowledge of the IPPF (including non-mandatory elements) and its practical application
Written application and at interview
- The candidate demonstrates a strong awareness of ethical dilemmas and areas of activity in which conflicts of interest may arise
- The candidate demonstrates sound judgement in proposing resolutions to actual or theoretical ethical issues
- The candidate demonstrates recognition of any areas of audit activity not in full conformance to the Standards and a practical understanding of the steps needed to address the situation
2. Proven business acumen
1200 Proficiency and due professional care
Competencies
2.1 Understands the client organisation and sector in which it operates including the legal and regulatory framework
2.2 Has operated at a senior level with responsibility for:
- strategy development and implementation
- management of financial and human resources
Evidence
Written application
- The letter of application and CV demonstrate that the candidate has had responsibility for strategy development and implementation, and management of financial and human resources
- The referees' statements confirm the veracity of the candidate's letter of application and CV
Written application and at interview
- The candidate demonstrates practical measures taken to maintain awareness of factors relating to their host organisation's internal and external environments, citing recent examples of changes
- The candidate demonstrates active participation in strategic development and implementation
- The candidate demonstrates operational experience of managing financial and human resources
3. Current role
1300 Quality assurance and improvement programme
2000 Managing the internal audit activity
2500 Monitoring progress
2600 Communicating the acceptance of risks
Competencies (and HIA definition)
The candidate has worked as a head of internal audit, or at an equivalent senior level in an internal audit role, which is defined as follows:
3.1 Attends meetings of the audit committee and/or has regular contact with its members
3.2 Has regular interaction with senior executives within the host or client organisation(s)
3.3 Is accountable for helping develop and deliver the periodic audit plan
3.4 Has responsibility for leading and deploying human and other resources to help deliver the periodic audit plan
3.5 Is accountable for the quality of internal audit work produced
3.6 Is responsible for the development and delivery of the audit strategy within the audit function or service provision (either solely or collectively as part of a senior management team).
In exceptional circumstances, specific eligibility criteria may be waived by the assessment panel. One example of this is where experience and expertise may be demonstrated through a significant academic career or similar record of internal audit achievement.
Evidence
Written application
- The candidate indicates that they have satisfied requirements 3.1-3.6
- The referee's statement confirms the veracity of the candidate's letter of application and CV and the accuracy of the organisation chart
Written application and at interview
The candidate provides recent and relevant examples of their role in:
- engagement with members of the audit committee through both formal and informal meetings
- engagement with senior executives
- development and execution of an annual audit plan
- determining the resourcing requirements for an audit plan and securing them or adjusting the plan accordingly
- maintaining an effective improvement planning and quality assurance programme
- developing and delivery the audit strategy
4. Attributes
2200 Engagement planning
2400 Communicating results
Competencies
Demonstrates personal skills in:
4.1 Leadership, relationship building and influence
4.2 Communication
4.3 Change management
4.4 Line management
4.5 Project management
4.6 Data handling and analysis
Evidence
Written application
- The candidate has provided letter of application and CV provide examples of actions undertaken and roles held that support the conclusion that the candidate possesses the attributes described in 4.1-4.6
- The referee's statement confirms the veracity of the candidate's letter of application and CV
Written application and at interview
- The candidate demonstrates effective communication skills when making their presentation and dealing with questions from the panel
- The candidate provides recent illustrative examples of times when they have demonstrated strong, positive skills in 4.1 and 4.3-4.6
5. Technical expertise
2100 Nature of work
Competencies
5.1 Interprets and applies the International Standards for internal audit
5.2 Understands and evaluates corporate governance, risk assessment, risk management, systems of internal control and control frameworks as applied to strategic and operational activities
5.3 Understands the principles of financial management and accounting
5.4 Is conversant with relevant risks associated with information systems and technology
5.5 Demonstrates an awareness of red flags for fraud and strategies for dealing with them
Evidence
Written application
- The application letter and CV demonstrate that the candidate is a leader in governance, risk and control.
- The referee's statement confirms the veracity of the candidate's letter of application and CV
Written application and at interview
The candidate provides recent illustrative examples of times when they have applied their expertise in:
- governance, risk and control
- financial management and accounting
- IT risks and controls
- fraud detection and prevention