By Francis Ameyibor, GNA
Accra, Dec. 20, GNA – The Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana (IIA-Ghana), has urged auditors to uphold the highest professional standards of integrity in their practice and promote an ethical culture in their organisations.
Mr Daniel Quampah, the President of IIA-Ghana, said when internal auditors upheld and applied these principles it would establish trust in them and provide the basis for reliance on their judgements.
Mr Quampah was speaking to the Ghana News Agency, in an interview, on the sidelines of the Third Internal Auditors Forum, organised in Accra.
He emphasised: “We must exhibit the highest level of professional objectivity in the gathering, evaluating, and the communicating of information about the activity or the process being examined.
“Internal Auditors must, therefore, bring a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.”
The Forum, attended by Heads of Internal Audit Units from both the public and private sectors, was on the general theme: “Establishing the relevance of IIA-Ghana through its visible performance”.
The Forum also discussed the IIA-Ghana’s Strategic Plan for 2020 to 2021, and mapped-out measures to gain the Institute the recognition as the authority for Internal Audit practice.
It is also to make stakeholders aware of the value the IIA could offer to meet corporate expectations.
Mr Quampah schooled the participants on the principles that were relevant to their profession and practice; and also rules that aided the interpretation of the principles into practical applications to guide ethical conduct.
The IIA-Ghana President explained that internal auditing must add value and improve an organisation's operations. “As Internal Auditors, we must make balanced assessment of all the relevant circumstances and not be unduly influenced by our own interests or by others in forming judgements”.
It was also imperative, he said, for them to respect the value and ownership of the information they received. “Do not disclose information without the approval of the appropriate authority, unless there is a legal or professional obligation to do so”.
They should not be involved in any illegal activity, or engage in acts that were discreditable to the profession or to the organisation they worked for.
“Respect and contribute to the legitimate and ethical objectives of the organisation and do not participate in any activity or relationship that may impair or be presumed to impair your unbiased assessment,” Mr Quampah admonished.
The Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana is registered as a non-for profit professional organisation dedicated to the development and expansion of the practice of internal auditing.
IIA Ghana is a full-fledged affiliate of the global internal audit family.
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS