The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) serves as the global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator for the internal audit profession. It is mainly composed of members who are or have been internal auditors.
One of IIA’s principal mission today is to promote the internal audit profesion. why is it that the IIA is still promoting the profession after 66 years since its inception in 1941. Is it not satisfied with the way it has progressed over time or is it simply because the IIA has transformed by itself as a commercial entity rather than a professional body.
As a member of the IIA for nearly 30 years, I can say that while there is so much to recognize as its positive contrinutions to the internal audit profession, there are as much rooms for improvement in what the IIA is doing in order for it to become truly what it indicates it is.
I can come up with a lenghty account of what it is doing and what it can do to promote the Internal Audit profession, but for the time being, I would limit it to what I blelieve are the major key issues to start with:
1. De-commercialize :
2. Get out of the “skirt” of the big accounting firms.
3. Strengthen communication with the corporate players and leaders and not just with the finance and audit people.
4. Do what theory says we do. Be practical and truthful with what you say you can do. do.
