IIA-CIA-Part1 IIA Essentials of Internal Auditing Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Among the options, requiring potential auditors to disclose any significant stock ownership in the organization is most likely to be acceptable to a CAE aiming to ensure the integrity and independence of the internal audit function. This practice helps manage potential conflicts of interest and aligns with the principles of objectivity and independence in internal auditing standards.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - Code of Ethics and International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

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The Chief Audit Executive (CAE) is primarily responsible for ensuring internal auditors’ continuing professional development. The CAE plays a crucial role in setting the tone and priorities for the audit function, including the professional growth of the audit staff, to maintain the competence and effectiveness of the internal audit activity.

International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, particularly those related to human resources management within audit functions.

The type of risk that an adequately designed and effectively operating system of internal controls should mitigate is "Residual" risk. Residual risk is what remains after internal controls are applied to inherent risk. This is the primary focus of most internal control systems, which are intended to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Risk management frameworks and internal control literature, such as COSO and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) guidance.

Audit logs are crucial for monitoring and reviewing the activities within IT systems, especially those processing personal data. The lack of audit logs presents a significant IT-related risk as it undermines the ability to trace any unauthorized or inappropriate access and actions within the system, thereby impacting the integrity and security of data.

Best practices in IT security and internal control frameworks like COBIT and ISO/IEC 27001.

When an internal audit activity lacks the necessary skills to perform a requested consulting engagement, the most appropriate action according to IIA guidance is for the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) to decline the engagement request. This decision ensures the integrity and quality of the audit service, adhering to the standard of only undertaking work where the internal audit staff possesses or has the ability to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

When prioritizing fraud risks, the most important factor for internal auditors to consider is the organization’s culture. A culture that does not robustly promote ethical behavior or where management overrides controls can significantly increase the likelihood and impact of fraud. This aligns with risk management principles that consider organizational culture as a key element in the effectiveness of controls to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) guidance on assessing and managing fraud risks and organizational culture.

According to IIA guidance, the practice by the chief audit executive (CAE) that best enhances the organizational independence of the internal audit activity is meeting privately with the board at least annually. This practice ensures that the internal audit activity can operate independently of management and directly report and discuss significant matters with the board, which is critical for maintaining its independence and objectivity.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

CQUESTION NO: 88

Which of the following statements is true regarding electronic funds transfer (EFT)?

A. EFT is a popular mechanism for improving efficiency, but results in less internal control.

B. EFT significantly reduces the risk of fraud by eliminating the need for authorizations.

C. EFT eliminates payment delays due mostly to the introduction of automated cash controls,

D. EFT makes use of numerous automated controls, but is still vulnerable to fraudulent accounting entries.

Answer: D

Electronic funds transfer (EFT) makes use of numerous automated controls, which improve efficiency and reduce the risk of some types of fraud. However, it is still vulnerable to fraudulent accounting entries, such as those arising from overriding existing controls or exploiting security weaknesses. Therefore, while EFT systems incorporate significant controls, they do not completely eliminate the risk of fraud.References: Best practices and guidelines on electronic funds transfer from financial management and information systems security sources.

According to the IIA’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, the internal audit activity must ensure that auditors collectively possess all of the competencies necessary to fulfill the internal audit plan. This standard recognizes that not every auditor will have every skill needed for every engagement, but collectively, the team should cover all necessary competencies.

Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

Engaging stakeholders in corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts is effectively done through their involvement in focus groups and complaint management. This method facilitates direct interaction and feedback from stakeholders, ensuring that their concerns and insights are considered in the CSR activities, thereby enhancing transparency and stakeholder engagement in the organization’s CSR strategy.

Best practices in stakeholder engagement and CSR from business management literature.

The use of benchmarking research to support the preparation of a report on control deficiencies demonstrates critical thinking. This skill involves analyzing and evaluating information from multiple sources to form a well-rounded view of the audit area, leading to significant findings and effective recommendations in the audit report.

Commonly recognized audit practices and skills as documented in auditing literature and the IIA's Competency Framework.

To effectively determine whether ethical values are followed throughout an organization, internal auditors should review employee survey responses and follow up on those that suggest weaknesses in the ethical climate. This approach allows auditors to gather firsthand insights from employees about the actual ethical environment, which can be more telling than formal documentation or compliance with written policies alone. It provides a direct measure of the ethical culture as experienced and perceived by the employees themselves.

Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing; Guidance on assessing organizational culture.

Incorrect acceptance risk refers to the risk that an auditor concludes that a financial statement assertion is not materially misstated when, in reality, it is. This type of risk is particularly relevant when performing substantive testing on balances such as inventory, where the auditor uses sampling to draw conclusions about the entire account balance.

Auditing standards regarding audit sampling and risk assessment, including the concepts of Type I and Type II errors in auditing.

According to the Standards, the risk register should include information about identified risks and how these are being managed. Management’s acceptance of inadequate controls for a significant risk such as cybersecurity should be documented as it represents a known risk exposure that the organization has chosen to accept. This helps ensure transparency and informs subsequent audit activities and decisions.

International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, specifically on risk assessment and management.

Internal auditors are most likely to be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement as a demonstration of due professional care. This helps ensure the confidentiality of information encountered during audits, maintaining integrity and trustworthiness in their professional conduct.

IIA Code of Ethics and standards on confidentiality and professional conduct.

According to IIA guidance, the results of ongoing monitoring of the internal audit activity's performance must be reported to senior management and the board at least annually. This ensures that the board and senior management are regularly informed about the effectiveness and efficiency of the internal audit function, aligning with the IIA's standards on quality assurance and improvement.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

Given the unusual observation in the travel expenses reports, the most appropriate next step for the internal auditor is to investigate whether there are any special arrangements regarding senior management travel. This investigation could reveal explanations for the absence of typical travel-related expenses, such as pre-paid packages, special corporate arrangements, or even potentially unreported expenses, which could be critical for compliance and ethical standards.

Internal Auditing Standards on performing audit work and investigating anomalies.

The inclusion of the clause stating that engagements are conducted in conformance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing can be justified if internal audit activity policies and engagement records provide relevant, sufficient, and competent evidence that the statement is correct. This evidence shows adherence to the Standards in audit planning, execution, and reporting, ensuring the quality and reliability of audit results as per the Standards' requirements.

International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing; guidelines on quality assurance and improvement programs.

When faced with a potential conflict of interest, as in the case where an internal auditor learns of a large loan made to another auditor's relative, the appropriate action is to refer the matter to higher authorities within the organization. Option B, having the chief audit executive and management determine whether the auditor should continue with the audit engagement, ensures that any potential conflict is managed properly and maintains the integrity of the audit process.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

According to the IIA Code of Ethics, the principle of confidentiality emphasizes that internal auditors must refrain from disclosing confidential information acquired in the course of their duties unless legally obligated to do so. Using a personal unencrypted memory stick for transferring audit files not only risks the security of the information but also contravenes the confidentiality principles by potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized access.

IIA Code of Ethics, Principle of Confidentiality

The most appropriate idea to include in the CSR policy is that management is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s CSR principles are communicated, understood, and integrated into decision-making processes. This aligns with good corporate governance practices which hold management accountable for embedding CSR into the corporate culture and daily operations of the organization, thus ensuring its effective implementation across all levels.

Corporate governance and CSR integration best practices as documented in business management literature.

The most effective type of fraud test for looking for possible fictitious vendors would be running checks to uncover post office box addresses that match employee addresses. This test directly targets a common tactic used in vendor fraud schemes, where employees might set up fictitious vendor accounts and direct payments to themselves via P.O. boxes.

IIA resources on auditing for fraud, which often discuss various methods for detecting fictitious vendors, including address comparisons.

The duties that should not be performed by the same person to ensure adequate segregation of duties include recording cash receipts and preparing bank reconciliations. Combining these duties in one individual can lead to potential fraud or errors not being detected within the cash management processes.

Common principles of internal control regarding segregation of duties, aimed at preventing fraud and errors by ensuring no one individual has control over all aspects of a financial transaction.

A risk register would be most useful for an internal auditor assessing the effectiveness of the organization's risk responses. This tool lists all identified risks along with their severity, ownership, and the actions taken to mitigate them, making it a key resource for evaluating whether the responses have been effective and align with the organization’s risk appetite and management strategies.

IIA guidance on risk assessment and management

The most effective and appropriate role for the internal audit activity with regard to IT governance is to assess whether governance activities are aligned with the organization's risk appetite and take into consideration emerging risks. This role involves evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the organization's IT governance framework, ensuring that IT-related decisions and activities align with strategic objectives and manage IT risks effectively.

IIA Global Technology Audit Guide (GTAG) on IT Governance

The 'adaptability culture' within an organization is best described as one that emerges in environments requiring quick response and high-risk decision-making. This type of culture is agile, allowing an organization to adapt rapidly to new challenges, market demands, or technological changes.

Robert E. Quinn and Kim S. Cameron's "Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture", which outlines different types of organizational cultures and their characteristics.

The scenario where an internal audit manager fails to disclose a conflict of interest by not revealing that the process owner being audited is a relative is a clear violation of the integrity principle outlined in The IIA’s Code of Ethics. Integrity demands that internal auditors disclose all material facts known to them that, if not disclosed, may distort the reporting of activities under review or conceal unlawful practices.

The IIA's Code of Ethics

According to IIA guidance, ISO 31000 recommends that utilizing a combination of the three primary approaches to the framework (ISO 31000) often provides the most comprehensive insights despite the complexity involved. This approach allows for a more robust and holistic understanding of the organization's risk management practices by integrating multiple perspectives and methodologies.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) provides guidance on utilizing standards such as ISO 31000 in internal audit practices, emphasizing the value of a comprehensive approach.

Providing access to online internal audit and business skills courses is the best support for internal auditors to meet their continuing professional development requirements. This resource offers auditors the opportunity to continuously enhance their knowledge and skills in a flexible and accessible manner, which is crucial for maintaining the proficiency and effectiveness required by the IIA standards.

IIA's Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements

In assurance engagements, it is standard practice for internal auditors to prepare and issue a written report upon completion. This report includes the results of the engagement and is issued to the client or the party that requested the engagement. This practice ensures transparency, accountability, and provides the client with necessary information to make informed decisions.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing