2016-11-14 General Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   8 NOVEMBER 2016




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  8 NOVEMBER 2016

       COUNCIL POLICY - INTERNAL AUDIT

       4     POLICY OBJECTIVES
       The objective of this policy is to establish an effective and efficient internal audit function that will
       provide independent, objective assurance and appropriate services designed to add value and
       improve Council’s operations.
       An effective internal audit function will seek to achieve the following outcomes in undertaking the
       annual audit program set by the Audit and Risk Committee:
       °    Assess and evaluate Council’s processes, procedures and internal control environment to
            assist with the management of operational risks;
       °    Appraise the relevance, reliability and integrity of management, business systems, financial
            and operating records and reports;
       °    Assist the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Council in the effective discharge of their
            responsibilities by providing them with analyses, appraisals, recommendations and
            information concerning the activities reviewed;
       °     Review compliance with Council policies and procedures, legislative requirements and
            regulations; and
       °     Provide outcomes that will generally improve practices across Council.

       5     POLICY DETAILS
       5.1  Independence and objectivity
 |     The internal audit function hastemust be independent and objectivity must be exercised in the
       conduct of internal audit work.

       Internal audit engagements shall be performed with an unbiased and impartial attitude.
       Internal audit shall not be involved in the day to day operations of Council.
       5.2  Audit approach
       A risk based internal audit approach shall be implemented each financial year.
 |     The_annua! internal audit plan will be endorsed by the Audit and Risk Committee in consideration
       of the most significant current risks facing Council. Relevant accounting documents will also be
       considered in the preparation of the internal audit plan.
       5.3  Authority and access
 |     Internal audit shall have direct and unrestricted access to Council and management. It-and is
       authorised to review all areas of Council with full, free and unrestricted access to Council's
       operations, data and records, assets and personnel.
       5.4  Reporting responsibility
       The internal audit function will report to the Audit and Risk Committee.
       Internal audit reports will be prepared and presented to the Audit and Risk Committee via the
       CEO on completion of an audit, and progress reports will be presented bi-annually to the Audit
       and Risk Committee. These reports will state the control measures that Council has adopted that
       were assessed by internal audit; the method in which the internal audit was conducted; the
       observations and recommendations of internal audit; and management responses to audit
       recommendations.

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