CIA Part 1 - Q13

13. The best means for the internal auditing activity (IAA) to determine whether its goal of implementing broader audit coverage of functional activities has been met is through

a. Accumulation of audit findings by auditable area.

b. Comparison of the audit plan to actual audit activity.

c. Surveys of management satisfaction with the internal audit activity.

d. Implementation of a quality assurance and improvement program.

13. Solution: d

a. Incorrect. This will not help the CAE understand whether any specific IAA goal is being met.

b. Incorrect. Comparing the audit plan with actual audit activity will not tell the CAE whether the IAA’s broader audit coverage goals are being met.

c. Incorrect. Surveys of management satisfaction will only tell the IAA how management feels about the services provided by the IAA and not whether any specific IAA goal is being accomplished.

d. Correct. Implementing a quality assurance and improvement program (QAIP) can assist the CAE in determining whether the IAA’s audit coverage goals are being met. The QAIP evaluates and analyzes the effectiveness and efficiency of IAA operations, which has to do with understanding whether stated IAA goals and objectives are being achieved.