To achieve what?

Demonstrate to stakeholders that the Organization’s risk management and internal control processes are assessed in an extremely rigorous and systematic way.

Assert the ability of the Internal Audit Activity to enlighten management decisions in critical areas and to support innovative projects within the Organization.

Consolidate the status and role of the Internal Audit Activity by providing independent recognition of the Internal Audit function’s added value to the Organization.

Consolidate, optimize and standardize the organization and practices of established Internal Audit Activity or assist the development of recently created Internal Audit Activities.

Mobilize audit teams towards ambitious and stretching project objectives while ensuring the ability of Internal Audit Activities to attract, train and retain the best talents.

Key success factors

The IFACI Certification is first and foremost a practical approach which caters specifically to the corporate culture, organization and functioning of the concerned Internal Audit Activity. It stresses critical thinking over formal rules.

It represents a cost-effective investment in view of the role and responsibilities of the Internal Audit Function and the quality improvements and productivity gains it achieves for its stakeholders.

It helps to ensure the Internal Audit function’s ability to adapt to the realities of complex and changing organizational environments.

The IFACI Certification attests to the excellence of the Internal Audit Activity, its level of compliance with internal standards and its degree of control over key challenges.

The approch

IFACI certification fosters a practical approach to standards compliance which caters specifically to the corporate culture, organization and functioning of the concerned Internal Audit and risk management departments. It favours critical thinking over formal rules using tried and tested tools and techniques, respecting balanced deadlines and workloads.

IFACI Certification which respects scrupulously the standards set by certification bodies has a Certification Committee authorized to issue certification.  This Board represents, without any single personal interest prevailing, Internal Audit departments, “Users “of the Internal Audit function and Internal Auditing Experts.

The benefits of Quality Certification

The IFACI Certification comprises a certification audit and annual surveillance audits. It helps Internal Audit Departments to fulfil their obligations in the area of continuous improvement.

IFACI‘s three year audit Certification model:

• Advances the progress made by Internal Auditing Departments
• Supports the Internal Auditing Activity in the rapid and efficient implementation of action plans and allows for monitoring of the improvements undertaken
• It helps to reinforce the vigilance of auditors and anticipate potential shortcomings of the Internal Auditing process
• It enables Internal Auditing Departments to adopt and integrate the best audit practises
• It helps to sensitize Internal Auditing Departments to changes occurring inside and outside the organization.
• It enables Internal Auditing Departments to address the expectations and changing requirements of internal audit stakeholders.

For what investment return?

In terms of value creation and preservation drivers, an Internal Auditing Department with IFACI certification process adds a real competitive edge to the Organisation

By examining the requirements of the Professional Framework, the IFACI certification process attests that an Internal Auditing Department is indeed addressing the Organization’s challenges and that it satisfies the five fundamental concerns of executive bodies.

The IFACI certification process verifies that the Internal Audit:

• has adopted the necessary measures to verify that risk management and internal surveillance processes are adequately managed within the scope of the resources granted to the Internal Audit Department’s function.
• is cost-efficient: ensuring that the Internal Audit Department’s financial and technical resources are applied in an economical way
• is efficient: striking the right balance between the quality of the services provided by Internal Auditing Departments and the human and technological resources that they use.
• is effective: achieving results and providing value in accordance with objectives established in liaison with the executive and oversight bodies of the organization.
• is relevant: focusing the work of Internal Audit Departments on managing and mitigating risks that could undermine the corporate mission of the Organization.

Professional Practice Framework of Internal Auditing (RPAI).

The IFACI Quality Certification is based on a framework translating into more practical terms the Professional Practice Framework of Internal Auditing (RPAI).  .

The RPAI 2015 is structured into 6 Categories:

• Positioning
• Planning & Piloting
• Programme of Governance Risk and Control Assessment
• Proficiency
• Performance & Quality
• Process of Auditing

It is comprised of twenty five general requirements each identified by one hundred detailed requirements.

An independent Assessment Committee, comprised of three boards (Directors, Users and Experts of Internal Audit processes) is consulted when each new version of the Professional Practice Framework of Internal Auditing (RPAI) is implemented.

You may download the Professional Practice Framework of Internal Auditing (RPAI) by email below

The Quality Certification Process

You submit your application file to IFACI Certification

You receive an action proposal, duration of which is fixed according to a schedule

1. We agree on a date and team of auditors from a network of specialists
2. We carry out a detailed review of all key documents
3. We examine files on specific missions
4. We conduct interviews with stakeholders
5. We record elements of potential non-compliance and detail our conclusions in a report
6. The Independent and impartial Certification Committee decides whether the Certification is to be attributed
7. If the decision is favourable, you will receive the Certification and the follow up schedule

IFACI Certification complies with International Standard ISO 17065.

A pre-audit may be carried out upon application for Certification. Whether focused on all or part of the Professional Practice Framework of Internal Auditing (RPAI) , it enables you to proceed in stages, to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses as well as to establish a road map leading to the Quality Certification.

Témoignages

Jean-Marc Giraud

Inspecteur Général - Société Générale

C’est avec une grande fierté que nous recevons aujourd’hui les certifications pour l’Inspection générale, l’Audit des Systèmes d’information, Directions centrales et Audit spécialisés, et pour l’Audit de la Banque de Grande clientèle et Solutions investisseurs – ces labels marquent une étape importante dans notre projet de faire certifier l’ensemble de nos départements y compris certains hubs d’audit à l’international.

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