Report on key compliance attributes of the internal audit function: June 30, 2023
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) internal audit is an independent, objective assurance and advisory function designed to add value and improve the agency's operations. It helps the CFIA accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
The CFIA publishes key compliance attributes for the internal audit function as prescribed by the Comptroller General of Canada. These attributes demonstrate that the fundamental elements necessary for oversight are in place, and that the internal audit function is operating as intended.
Internal audit work is performed according to the approved risk-based audit plan and management is acting on audit recommendations
| Internal audit title | Audit status | Report approved date | Report published date | Planned management action plan completion date | Implementation date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advisory Review of Access to Information and Privacy (Advisory) | Completed | September 2022 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Audit of Project Management (Audit) | Completed | March 2023 | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Potato Wart Hot Wash (Advisory) | Completed | March 2023 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Audit of Cyber Security (Audit) | On-going | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Advisory on Emergency Preparedness – Threat Identification and Preparedness (Advisory) | On-going | Pending | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Internal auditors are trained to effectively perform the work (some staff hold more than 1 designation)
- 40% of staff involved in the conduct of internal audits hold an internal audit or accounting designation (Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA))
- 20% of staff involved in the conduct of internal audits are in the process of obtaining their internal audit or accounting designation (CIA, CPA)
- 10% of staff involved in the conduct of internal audits hold other designations (Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP))
Internal audit work is performed in conformance with the international standards for the profession
- The CFIA Audit Committee last received a comprehensive briefing on the CFIA's internal processes, tools, and information considered necessary to evaluate conformance with the Institute of Internal Auditors' (IIA) Code of Ethics and Standards and the results of the quality assurance and improvement program in November 2022
- The results of the quality assurance and improvement program demonstrate that internal audit work continues to be carried out in conformance with professional internal audit standards
- CFIA's internal audit function underwent an external assessment (practice inspection) in November 2022
- The assessor validated that the internal audit function generally conforms with the Treasury Board's Internal Audit Policy Suite, namely the Policy on Internal Audit and the Directive on Internal Audit, which include the requirements of the IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards) and the IIA Code of Ethics
Internal audit work is perceived by stakeholders as adding value
- Average overall usefulness rating from senior management (ADM-level or equivalent) of areas covered by audits and advisory engagements, as indicated in post-engagement satisfaction surveys: Excellent
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