INTERNAL AUDIT CAPABILITY MODEL (IA-CM) FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR

The Internal Audit Capability Model (IA-CM) for the Public Sector is a framework that identifies the fundamentals needed for effective internal auditing in government and the broader public sector. It illustrates the levels and stages through which an internal audit (IA) activity can evolve as it defines, implements, measures, controls, and improves its processes and practices.

The model is intended for self-assessment, capacity building, and advocacy. Its primary users are expected to be internal audit professionals together with the profession’s principal stakeholders (e.g., senior management, audit committee members, governing bodies, and external auditors).

This research report comprises two sections—an Overview of the IA-CM and an Application Guide:

• The Overview provides background on the research project itself, some environmental and contextual information about internal auditing, and a description of the model, including its underlying principles and structure. A selected bibliography is also provided.
• The Application Guide describes the IA-CM in detail—its elements, levels, key process areas, and how to use and interpret the model. Some evolving and best-practice examples of IA activities identified during the global validation of the IA-CM are highlighted along with guidance to help use the IA-CM as a self-assessment tool.

The model is not intended to be prescriptive in terms of how a process should be carried out, but rather what should be done. It is intended as a universal model with comparability around principles, practices, and processes that can be applied globally to improve the effectiveness of internal auditing.