Internal Audit Charter
Internal Audit Charter
Internal Audit Charter
Table of Contents
Foreword 3
1. General Provisions 4
1.1 Introduction 4
1.2 Purpose, Authority & Responsibility 4
1.2.1 Purpose of the Internal Audit Charter 4
(The Charter)
1.2.2 The University Council 5
1.2.3 The Vice-Chancellor 5
1.2.4 The Audit Committee 6
1.2.5 Director of Internal Audit 6
1.2.6 Organisational Structure 9
1.3 Approval & Amendments 10
4. Appendices 40
4.1 Definitions of Terminologies 40
4.2 Templates 44
4.2.1 Audit Evidence or Procedure 44
Documentation Form
4.2.2 Code of Secrecy 45
4.2.3 Competencies Review Form 46
4.2.4 Ethical Review Form 46
4.2.5 Audit Time Sheet 46
4.2.6 Audit Finalisation Checklist 47
4.2.7 Audit Recommendation Implementation Status 47
Form
3 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Foreword
As a result, this Internal Audit Charter has been developed and approved by
Council to set out the policies and procedures for carrying out the internal
audit function of the University. The Council of the University has
approved the Charter and wishes to inform all employees of its existence
and that it must be complied with at all times. All officers and units shall in
accordance with the Charter and decisions of the Council, undergo
internal audit processes in strict adherence to the requirements stated
therein. Thus, employees who contravene the Charter will be considered to
be in breach of their duties towards the University and Council, and will be
considered for disciplinary action. This will also apply to employees who
are aware of deliberate deviations from the Charter by others and become
complicit by not reporting their concerns or knowledge to the relevant
University Authorities or any member of Council.
1. General Provisions
1.1 Introduction
Note: The SMC means Senior Management Committee which comprises of the Director, senior members and audit leads.
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 10
i. Pre-Auditing
The Directorate will continue to handle pre-
audit till the ethical and control environment
required from Finance staff is at the
unquestionable assurance level.
ii. Post-Auditing
Post-audits (mainly assurance in nature) which
form part of the Directorate's annual plan cover
financial, compliance, operational, risk
assessment, forensic/investigative,
performance audit, value-for-money audit and
information technology audit.
13 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
v. Mentoring Services
The internal audit units of other state
institutions, affiliated colleges and other
universities come to understudy the Directorate
and seek its mentorship.
i. Independence
The freedom from conditions that threaten the
ability of the staff to carry out internal audit
responsibilities in an unbiased manner.
ii. Objectivity
An unbiased mental attitude that allows internal
auditors to perform engagements in such a
manner that they believe in their work output
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 14
iv. Confidentiality
Staff shall respect the value and ownership of
information they receive and shall not disclose
information without authority unless there is a
legal or professional obligation to do so. Staff
shall be prudent in the use and protection of
information acquired in the course of their
duties. Staff shall not use information for any
personal gain or in any manner that would be
contrary to any Act or Standard.
ix. Reputation
Staff shall not knowingly be a party to any illegal
activities or engage in acts that discredit the
work of the Directorate. Staff shall not demand
or take a bribe, gratuity, recompense or reward
for the neglect, omission, commission or
performance of duty. Staff shall not wilfully fail
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 16
i. Independence
The Directorate shall be independent, unbiased
and objective in performing its work.
ii. Integrity
The Directorate shall demand the highest
professional standards of staff to earn the
respect of others.
iv. Confidentiality
The Directorate shall respect the value and
ownership of information and not disclose
information without authority unless there is a
legal or professional obligation to do so.
Purpose
This policy will ensure newly appointed staff and interns are
given adequate orientation and all staff are effectively mentored
to promote succession planning and the current concerns of
the Directorate.
Policies
i. All newly appointed staff shall undergo an orientation for
one week.
ii. Audit leads and supervisors shall mentor team members
and provide appropriate leadership, review and
supervision.
iii. Newly appointed Audit Leads and Supervisors shall
undergo orientation and be mentored by existing staff in
those roles.
iv. The Senior Management Team may include the orientation
and mentoring needs of the Directorate on their agenda at
least once every quarter.
Purpose
This provides the nature, extent and activities required to train
and develop the competencies of staff to deliver professional
and quality service.
Policies
i. Staff with tendencies to be trained and developed would be
engaged.
ii. Staff would be promptly and fairly promoted once they
meet the criteria contained in the conditions and scheme
of service.
iii. Staff would be rotated on assignments and between the
Colleges and the Central Administration at least every two
years.
19 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Purpose
This provides the requirement to develop an annual audit plan,
get it approved, monitored, performance-reviewed and
reported to the Internal Audit Agency, Audit Committee and
the Vice-Chancellor.
Policies
i. The Director of Internal Audit has the responsibility to
develop a flexible annual audit plan using risk-based
methodology, including any risks or control concerns
identified by management.
ii. The annual audit plan must be developed by identifying the
risk profile of each unit contained in the University's Risk
Register(s), requirements of Act 921, findings and
recommendations of the Auditor-General and/or external
auditors, input of Council, Vice-Chancellor, Audit
Committee, other committees and previous internal audit
findings and recommendations and those of any other
monitoring unit.
iii. The draft annual audit plan must be ready by June 30th each
year.
iv. The draft annual audit plan must be discussed within the
Directorate at a general staff meeting.
v. The agreed draft annual plan should be sent to the Vice-
Chancellor for approval.
vi. The approved annual report should be tabled before the
Audit Committee for review and approval.
vii. The final approved and signed annual audit plan must be
distributed to the Audit Teams and a copy sent to the
Internal Audit Agency before the new academic year
begins.
21 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Purpose
This provides the preliminary or initial activities expected of
staff on an assigned engagement.
Policies
i. The audit lead must ensure that each team member has
completed the ethical compliance and competencies form
to determine the suitability of the person on the team.
ii. Any person who fails the above test, shall be reassigned
another task they are fit to perform.
iii. If the area has previously been audited, a copy of the
previous audit report and copies of the permanent files
shall be obtained from the audit file for the area/auditee.
iv. Staff may have a discussion with the previous person who
conducted the audit to gain greater understanding, assess
risk and decide on audit procedures to adopt.
v. Staff must inspect the risk register of the auditee to
confirm, amend or change the key issues to be examined in
the audit.
vi. Staff must retrieve the Integrated Tertiary Software (ITS)
report for the audit (if applicable).
vii. Staff must use the recommended data analytic tool (e.g. the
IDEA software) to assess risk, conduct analytical
procedures and draw preliminary understanding of the
audit.
viii. A copy of the report in the above guidelines must be kept
as a working paper.
ix. Staff must document in writing their understanding of the
audit and the key issues to be raised.
x. Where applicable, a copy of the agreement or
documentation on the audit must be obtained, studied,
documented and a copy of the write-up and said document
filed.
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 22
Purpose
This provides guidelines on risk assessment and management,
and procedures to evaluate effectiveness and to contribute to
the improvement of risk management processes of the
University.
Policies
i. Staff must assess the effectiveness of risk management by
units of the University by considering how the unit:
a) aligns its organizational objectives with and, supports
the University's mission.
b) Identifies and assesses significant risks.
c) Selects appropriate risk responses and aligns risks with
the University's risk appetite.
d) Captures and communicates relevant risk information
in a timely manner across the University, enabling staff,
Senior Management, and the Council to carry out their
responsibilities.
ii. Staff must request and inspect the risk register of the
auditee and inquire about the risk management practices.
iii. Staff must liaise with the Chief Risk Officer if necessary to
appreciate risk management issues likely to affect the audit.
iv. Staff must evaluate risk exposures relating to the
University's governance, operations, and information
systems regarding the:
a) Achievement of the University's strategic objectives.
b) Reliability and integrity of financial and operational
information.
c) Effectiveness and efficiency of operations and
programmes.
d) Safeguarding of assets.
e) Compliance with laws, regulations, policies,
procedures, and contracts.
23 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Purpose
This provides the guidelines and mindset required of staff
pertaining to expected collaborations which could affect the
nature, extent and timing of audit procedures.
Policies
i. The Director of Internal Audit should share information,
coordinate activities, and consider relying upon the work of
other internal and external assurance and consulting
service providers, to ensure proper coverage and minimize
duplication of efforts.
ii. The Directorate must work cordially and share information
with the Chief Risk Officer of the University.
iii. The Directorate must collaborate and share information
with the external auditors and obtain a copy of the annual
management letter.
iv. The Directorate must collaborate with heads of units to
understand their audit needs.
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 24
Purpose
This provides the minimum factors to be considered at the
planning stage of each engagement to ensure the development
of a risk-based audit plan and the possible achievement of an
effective audit performance outcome.
Policies
I. Staff must develop and document a plan for each
engagement, including the engagement's objectives, scope,
timing, and resource allocations.
ii. Staff must request must consider the University's and/or
unit's strategies, objectives, and risks relevant to the
engagement.
iii. Staff, in planning the engagement, must consider:
Purpose
This provides guidelines on procedures required for an entry
conference for an engagement, to promote an effective
cooperation from the unit/auditee and achieve a value-added
audit outcome.
Policies
i. An entry conference must be held for all engagements to
gather information about the mission, vision, critical
processes, and control procedures of the unit.
ii. The Audit Team must notify the unit/auditee about the
entry conference via email or memo and the notice must
specify the purpose, agenda, date, time, venue and the
persons to be present for the meeting.
iii. The following issues, at least, must be discussed and/or
included during the entry conference meeting:
Purpose
This provides guidelines for fieldworks and procedures to adopt
to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to serve as the
basis for the audit opinion.
Policies
i. Staff must identify, analyze, evaluate, and document
sufficient information to achieve the engagement's
objectives.
ii. Staff must identify sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful
information to achieve the engagement's objectives.
iii. Staff must base conclusions and engagement results on
appropriate analyses and evaluations of evidence.
iv. Staff must document sufficient, reliable, relevant, and
useful information to support the engagement results and
conclusions.
v. Engagements must be properly supervised at each stage to
ensure objectives are achieved, quality is assured, and staff
is developed.
vi. Each staff must be assigned specific tasks for each stage of
the engagement, they must be notified and briefed
accordingly, and this must be documented.
vii. The Audit Observation Form must be used to document all
audit observations or issues.
viii. A separate sheet or page must be used for each of the
observations or issues and included in the working papers
with copies of the supporting documents.
ix. The Audit Observation Form should be used whenever
29 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
there is a possible:
a) opportunity for operational improvement
b) discrepancy
c) error
d) irregularity
e) weakness or
f) deviation from UG Financial Regulation and
Governance, best practice internal control standards,
regulations, or laws.
xi. During the course of the audit, conditions may arise which
warrant revising the audit procedures, scope, or budgeted
hours. The staff should evaluate the situation, make timely
recommendations to the audit lead, and obtain approval
before incorporating any changes.
Purpose
This provides guidelines for working papers and audit
documentation to promote audit reviews, quality control and
attest that sufficient and appropriate evidence has been
obtained.
Policies
i. Staff must maintain sufficient and appropriate working
31 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Purpose
This provides guidelines for review of evidence to promote
audit quality.
Policies
i. The terms of reference for each engagement shall be
reviewed and approved by the Director of Internal Audit.
ii. The engagement plan shall be reviewed by the Director of
Internal Audit.
iii. Audit leads shall review and evaluate the evidence gathered
by their team members.
iv. The Director of Internal Audit shall review and evaluate
evidence contained in the working papers before the draft
audit report is issued.
v. The adequacy and sufficiency of working papers and audit
documentation shall be reviewed by the Director of
Internal Audit.
Purpose
This provides guidelines for the conduct of exit conference to
improve cooperation and create appropriate control
environment to implement audit recommendations.
33 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Policies
i. The audit team must use an exit conference to avoid any
misunderstandings or misinterpretations of fact by
providing the opportunity for the auditee to clarify specific
items and to express views on the corrective action and
other information presented in the draft report.
ii. The invitees should include the audit participants and the
Head of the Unit.
iii. The Audit Lead should contact audit participants to
determine a suitable time and location for the exit
conference.
iv. At a minimum, the audit team should be prepared to
discuss the audit including what they did (objective, scope,
procedures), what risks were perceived, how they anticipate
the corrective action will address the associated risk, and
other concerns identified in the audit supported by the
Audit Observation Forms.
v. Changes suggested by the auditee at the exit conference
require review by the audit lead.
vi. If additional wording changes are needed, a revised draft
will be provided to the auditee.
vii. If the auditee is in agreement with the wording and
recommendations, the audit lead should obtain the
auditee's signature on the draft report at the exit
conference.
viii. If the auditee is not in agreement with the finding and/or
recommendation, the audit would continue to seek an
agreement through the unit's reporting line up to the
Director of Internal Audit.
ix. If the auditee, to whom the report is being directed, does
not accept the recommendation or is unwilling to accept
the risk of implementing the recommendation, the audit
lead must report the finding and the related risk within the
final report.
x. If revisions are made to the draft report after the exit
conference, the revised draft should be sent to the auditee
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 34
Purpose
This provides guidelines for audit reporting to promote quality
assurance and audit impact.
Policies
i. The Director of Internal Audit is responsible for issuing
the final audit report to parties who can ensure that the
results are given due consideration.
ii. All audit report must conform in all material respect to the
audit report template.
iii. Final communication of engagement results must include
applicable conclusions, as well as applicable
recommendations and/or action plans.
iv. The opinion should be clearly stated.
v. Audit report must be accurate, objective, clear, concise,
constructive, complete, and timely.
vi. If a final audit report contains a significant error or
omission, the Director of Internal Audit must
communicate corrected information to all parties who
received the original report.
vii. When releasing engagement results to parties outside the
organization, the communication must include limitations
on distribution and use of the results.
viii. The Vice-Chancellor and the Audit Committee must be
issued copies of all audit reports except in exceptional
request audits.
ix. Copies of audit reports would be sent to the Internal Audit
Agency and/or the Auditor-General (if applicable) as
required by Act 658.
35 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
3.16 Confidentiality
Purpose
This provides guidelines on the confidentiality required of staff
to promote acquisition of evidence and foster cooperation
from all staff of the University.
Policies
i. Staff shall respect the value and ownership of information
they receive and shall not disclose information without
authority unless there is a legal or professional obligation to
do so.
ii. Staff shall be prudent in the use and protection of
information acquired in the course of their duties.
iii. Staff shall not use information for any personal gain or in
any manner that would be contrary to this Charter or
detrimental to the legitimate and ethical objectives of the
University.
iv. Any other dissemination of working papers or
correspondence contents must be approved by the
Director of Internal Audit.
v. All paper documents generated in the course of
performing audit work to be disposed of must be
shredded.
vi. The following standard e-mail disclaimer must be used for
all official messages sent by any staff:
“This electronic mail message and any attached files contain
information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary,
privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under
applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
notified that any viewing, copying, disclosure or distribution of this
information may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. Please notify
the sender, by electronic mail or telephone, of any unintended recipients
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 36
Purpose
This provides the guidelines for carrying out follow-ups of
recommendations to promote their implementation and
eliminate any control weaknesses.
Policies
I. The Director of Internal Audit must establish and maintain
a system to monitor the disposition of audit
recommendations to management.
ii. The Director of Internal Audit must establish a follow-up
process to monitor and ensure that management actions
have been effectively implemented or that senior
management has accepted the risk of not taking action.
iii. Where applicable, all audit reports must include a section
on the status of implementation of prior audit and other
recommendation.
iv. The Director of Internal Audit must issue a quarterly
report to the Audit Committee on the status of
implementation of both internal and external audit
37 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
recommendations.
v. The Audit Recommendation Implementation Status Form
shall be used.
3.18 Fraud Investigation
Purpose
This provides guidelines for fraud investigation to promote an
effective audit.
Policies
i. The Directorate will operate an open whistle-blowing
culture across the University for employees, students and
external stakeholders to provide information on fraud.
ii. Fraud shall be investigated as soon as it is known or
suspected.
iii. The Directorate may collaborate with other units or bodies
within or outside the University to investigate fraud.
iv. Staff must test for fraud in all engagements.
v. Fraud perpetrated by the Vice-Chancellor shall be reported
to the Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency
and/or the Auditor-General.
vi. Fraud perpetrated by other staff may be reported to the
Vice-Chancellor before being investigated, or investigated
and reported to the Vice-Chancellor depending on the
nature of the matter and the extent to which the Vice-
Chancellor might want to protect the perpetrator.
Purpose
This provides guidelines on implementing appropriate quality
assurance improvements to promote audit effectiveness and
efficiency.
Policies
i. The Director of Internal Audit shall develop and maintain
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 38
3.20 Pre-Auditing
Purpose
This provides guidelines for the conduct of pre-audits to
promote value for money, cost control, and to blockage of
financial leakages.
Policies
i. The Directorate shall continue to be responsible for pre-
audits until the University transfers the function to the
Finance Directorate.
ii. A record of all pre-auditing shall be maintained by the Pre-
Audit Lead.
39 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Purpose
This provides guidelines for accepting an institutional mentee
by the Directorate to promote the image of the University.
Policies
i. A request for mentorship shall be in writing addressed to
the Vice-Chancellor.
ii. The terms of the mentorship shall be developed by the
Director of Internal Audit and approved by the Vice-
Chancellor.
iii. Appropriate fee may be charged if applicable.
iv. A report of the mentorship shall be submitted by the
Director of Internal Audit one month after the programme
to the Vice-Chancellor and the head of the mentee
institution.
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 40
4 Appendices
4.2 Templates
University of Ghana
Internal Audit Directorate
Audit Procedures Documentation Form
Audit Objective:
Audit Scope:
Step 2: Title
Procedure (s) Performed:
Result/Conclusion
Done By:
Reviewed By:
Date:
Step 3: Title
Procedure (s) Performed:
Result/Conclusion
Done By:
University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter 44
Reviewed By:
Date:
Date:
45 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
During the course of any job duties, staff of the Internal Audit
Directorate (IAD) may have access to information that is
sensitive, non-public, or protected by State Privacy Statutes. All
information contained in audit work-papers and audit reports
or disclosed to audit staff is confidential. It is the policy of the
IAD not to disclose to anyone outside the University, the
contents of any audit work-papers, audit reports, or other
information made available by the University. I would not
directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person, any
matter, which shall be brought under my consideration or shall
come to my knowledge in the discharge of my official duties
except as may be required for the discharge of my official duties
or as may be specially permitted by law.
Signature Date
Name of Staff:
Signature Date
University of Ghana
Internal Audit Directorate
Audit Finalisation Checklist
Title of Audit:
Audit Objective:
Audit Scope:
Audit Lead:
Area Response
Yes No Partial Remarks
Competency Test of each team member
Ethical review test of each team member
Audit Time sheet
All Audit Observation Forms
Terms of Reference
Minutes of Entry Conference
Minutes of Exit Conference
Copies of appropriate documents
Audit working papers are completed
Obtained copy of prior audit report
Obtained copy of prior audit files
Copy of Prior Audit Recommendation
Implementation Report
47 University of Ghana Internal Audit Charter
Completed By:
Date:
Director of Internal Audit:
Date: