{"id":5464,"date":"2023-11-27T11:37:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T11:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imsm.com\/south-africa\/?p=5464"},"modified":"2024-01-25T11:03:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T11:03:13","slug":"how-internal-auditor-training-safeguards-business-ethics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imsm.com\/south-africa\/news\/how-internal-auditor-training-safeguards-business-ethics\/","title":{"rendered":"How Internal Auditor Training Safeguards Business Ethics"},"content":{"rendered":"
Today\u2019s business landscape is global, complex, and interconnected. Companies of all shapes and sizes must adapt to the modern-day ethical standards that come with globalisation to open up opportunities and encourage trading. As a modern business, you are obliged and often required to conduct your practices ethically and within local and international law. Whether you, as the reader, are an internal auditor yourself or you\u2019re playing another part in the broader operation of your company, you should know that internal auditing plays a crucial role in the compliance process and continued success.<\/p>\n
This blog will guide you through why internal auditing always safeguards business ethics, and how an internal auditor\u2019s ongoing training will further strengthen relevant decision-making.<\/p>\n
Ethical conduct is not just an integral part of everyday business; it\u2019s also vital for an internal auditor\u2019s practices. Ethical and best practices directly inform all the qualities an internal auditor should have, with some of these being:<\/p>\n
Honesty and sound morals are two foundational pillars of an excellent internal auditor. Ultimately, the profession is about reporting findings, suggesting changes, and collecting data fairly and accurately. A lack of accuracy may cause problems for the organisation and the auditor, so the upkeep of an auditor\u2019s skills is in the best interests of all parties involved in the auditing process.<\/p>\n
Objectivity is vital – it encompasses fairness, impartiality, and unbiasedness as if the auditor were a neutral observer. Paired with expert listening skills and an eye for detail, an objective viewpoint is vital to an internal auditor\u2019s skillset.<\/p>\n
Competence lies at the core of an internal auditor\u2019s ability to conduct their obligations efficiently and precisely, encompassing technical know-how, industry expertise, and analytical prowess. Assembling these skills will result in a robust, accurate, and ethically conducted audit. Building on these skills will result in a robust, accurate, and ethically conducted audit.<\/p>\n
Any internal auditor will know that their job involves handling sensitive, proprietary information with discretion and care. It isn\u2019t uncommon to encounter legally, ethically, and contractually sensitive information. Knowing how to handle this information is essential.<\/p>\n
The mindset of continuous improvement is fundamental and distinguishes the best internal auditors from the rest. It requires ambition, determination, and commitment beyond simply acquiring qualifications and skills for the role. Taking the time to enhance understanding of ethical practices and their broader implications has unprecedented effects on an auditor\u2019s personal development.<\/p>\n
Internal auditing requires a strong personal discipline to exercise social and moral responsibilities properly. Combined with the attributes of trustworthiness, objectivity, and willingness to improve, these make up the foundational cornerstones of the job. Internal auditors must always have their colleagues\u2019 and the company\u2019s best interests at the forefront of their decision-making, and this can be maintained by their personal development through training.<\/p>\n
Internal auditing, informed by comprehensive training, mitigates the possibility of staff mistreatment and unfair favouring, allowing for staff retention and satisfaction. These are crucial in building and maintaining the culture within any workplace; a strong sense of culture fosters belonging and purpose among those who work there.<\/p>\n