|
January 16, 2018 (Regular Meeting)
<br />Page 3414
<br />and in reaching a conclusion concerning the overall control over assets and the
<br />effectiveness of the system of internal control in achieving its broad
<br />objectives.
<br />This charter establishes the general authority and responsibility of the Audit
<br />Division.
<br />II. AUTHORITY AND SCOPE OF AUDIT ACTIVITIES
<br />Authority
<br />The Internal Audit Division shall have the authority to conduct financial,
<br />compliance, operational, performance, and information systems audits for all
<br />departments, offices, activities, and programs under the control of the
<br />County. Additionally, the Internal Audit Division shall have the authority to
<br />perform special reviews, investigate allegations of misuse of County funds and
<br />resources. With approval of the Audit Committee, the Internal Auditor, the
<br />County Manager, and or the Board of County Commissioners shall have the
<br />authority to obtain contract services of public accountants, management
<br />consultants or other professional experts necessary to assist in the discharge
<br />of its responsibilities.
<br />To properly carry out their responsibilities, the Internal Audit Division
<br />personnel are authorized to have:
<br />Full, free, and unrestricted access to County functions, activities, operations,
<br />records, data files, computer programs, property and personnel. In addition,
<br />authority is granted to Audit staff to request reasonable assistance from
<br />appropriate County personnel in acquiring requested records, documents and
<br />files, as well as inspection and entry privileges to all assets owned, leased,
<br />or borrowed by the County. It is expected that the Audit staff will exercise
<br />discretion in the review of records to ensure the confidentiality of all matters
<br />that come to their attention.
<br />Scope of Audit Activities
<br />Audit coverage will encompass, as deemed appropriate by the Internal Audit
<br />Division and County Management, independent reviews and evaluations of any and
<br />all management operations and activities to appraise:
<br />• Measures taken to safeguard assets, including tests of existence and
<br />ownership as appropriate.
<br />• The reliability, consistency, and integrity of financial and operating
<br />information.
<br />• Compliance with policies, plans, standards, laws, and regulations that
<br />could have significant impact on operations.
<br />• Economy and efficiency in the use of resources.
<br />• Effectiveness in the accomplishment of the mission, objectives, and goals
<br />established for the County's operations and projects.
<br />Audit activities will be coordinated, to the extent possible, with Federal and
<br />State agencies and external auditors, so as to enhance audit efficiency.
<br />Limitation of Authority and Responsibility
<br />In performing their functions, the Internal Audit Division has neither direct
<br />authority over, nor responsibility for, any of the activities reviewed. The
<br />Internal Audit Division will not develop and install procedures, prepare
<br />records, make management decisions, or engage in any other activity that could
<br />be reasonably construed to compromise their independence. However, in
<br />connection with the complementary objectives of this audit function, the
<br />Internal Audit Division will recommend accounting policies and procedures for
<br />approval and implementation by appropriate management. Therefore, internal
<br />audit review and appraisal do not in any way substitute for other activities or
<br />relieve other persons in the County of the responsibilities assigned to them.
<br />III. REPORTING STRUCTURE
<br />The Internal Audit Division reports to and is accountable to County Management
<br />Office for day-to-day operations. The Internal Audit Division has full access,
<br />and is expected to use this access, to the Audit Committee for any matters
<br />deemed appropriate. The Audit Committee has oversight responsibilities of the
<br />audit function and activities, including review and approval of the annual audit
<br />plan and any revisions thereto. The Audit Committee shall work to ensure maximum
<br />coordination between the work of the Internal Audit Division and the needs of
<br />the County Manager and the County Commissioners.
<br />
|