Tag: Ethics

Whistleblower hotlines

Internal Audit’s Role in Assuring Whistleblower Hotlines Are Effective

When it comes to preventing or detecting fraud, whistleblower hotlines remain among the best protection money can buy. They can also be an important tool for internal auditors to assess fraud risk and provide information that can increase the quality of audits and should be assessed on a regular basis. Read More

Diversity and Inclusion

IIA Issues Guidance for Social Equity and CSR Approaches

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is offering a new Global Knowledge Brief to help internal auditors understand how to approach assessments of social equity and corporate social responsibility within their organizations’ strategies and cultures. “At an increasingly rapid rate, social equity and justice movements garner global attention and power,” Read More

Mattel Ousts CFO After Investigation into Accounting Practices

Toy company Mattel announced this week that has completed an independent investigation, led by its audit committee, into the allegations by a whistleblower of accounting improprieties and a lack of independence by the company’s external auditor. The investigation determined that income tax expense was understated by $109 million in the Read More

Conducting an investigation

Five Critical Points to Consider When Conducting Investigations

It is difficult today to avoid news about allegations and subsequent investigations. First, it was a slew of high profile allegations about sexual misconduct—which continues. More recently, it’s about abuse of power in the government. And rarely a day goes by without some news of a financial fraud, bribery, or Read More

El Paso Audit Report

Internal Audit Finds $8 Million in Unapproved Cost Increases for El Paso School System

More than $8 million in construction cost increases tied to the El Paso Independent School District’s 2016 bond program did not go before the board for approval as required, according to a new internal audit report. As a result, auditors warn final costs are likely to exceed the figures the school board Read More

Lessons for Internal Auditors from the Legacy of Jack Bogle

GUEST BLOG Internal auditors are always on the lookout for people to emulate and to learn from. Here’s one to study: John C. (Jack) Bogle. Jack Bogle, the late founder of the mutual fund company Vanguard Group, has been an American investor, business magnate, financial innovator, and philanthropist, and is Read More