IIA NZ May Newsletter

With the return to the workplace, for many there is still a considerable number of employees who will continue to work from home for some time yet.

Even so, it is timely to consider the role of the internal auditor to help their organisation navigate the risks associated with returning to our normal places of work. The risks are many, including balancing employee health and safety with privacy concerns, contact tracing, minimising the risk of outbreaks, dealing fairly with pandemic-related employee needs and conflicts, assuring new processes and procedures are well-designed and working as intended, and more. In short, the issues in a return-to-workplace plan encompass a full portfolio of risks, including financial, operational, compliance, legal and health and safety.

Internal auditors should be prepared to step up to provide informed assurance and advice on return-to-workplace plans, and resources to becoming informed are abundant. The Ministry of Health provides guidance for preparing workplaces.

As a starting point here are four key questions to consider:

• Has management adequately identified and assessed
  return-to-workplace related risks?
• Do proposed return-to-workplace policies and controls address the
  key risks?
• Are policies/controls effectively implemented (including communications)?
• Is the overall programme functioning as intended, or are improvements warranted?

As your organisations' last line of defence, internal audit cannot afford to be left out of efforts to manage key risks, especially during a crisis. It is not too late to alert management and audit committees about the value that internal audit can bring to health and safety reviews ahead of a return to the workplace.

IIA NZ Training

IIA NZ looked very carefully at what would be the best practical personal development offerings available to members during the time of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

We have endeavoured to provide a range of training sourced locally and from other IIA Affiliates, especially IIA-Australia and IIA Global. Details of upcoming sessions can be found on our Event Calendar.

The following are to name a few:

• TechTalks are 60 minute sessions focussing on practical approaches to internal audits of various kinds as well as the application of current assurance strategies and methodologies. Nine TechTalks are open for registration - see the Event Calendar for details.
• The IIA Webinar Playback Library is a new service available to all members. Two webinar recordings will be released per month on top internal audit topics.
  These webinars were previously presented by Affiliates who have kindly donated them for global distribution. Special thanks to as IIA-Australia, IIA-North America, and IIA-Spain for their contributions. Members will be able to access supplemental documents relevant to the topic such as Implementation Guides, global thought leadership, presentations, and more.
  Your Global Account Number (GAN) will be required to access the recordings, and there is the option to complete an attestation form to receive one CPE credit per webinar.
  Webinars will be updated here as they become available.
• IIA Global has added three new courses to the IIA Global OnDemand Training catalogue.

If you haven't visited our News page recently, have a look as IA Insights & Advice videos on the Audit Channel are now available for viewing.

IIA Global Digital Transformation

As part of IIA Global's digital transformation project, some members may receive an email in the coming weeks from Global confirming your membership number and the steps needed to ensure your Global account is active and that you can access member-only resources. If you have any questions, please contact admin@iianz.org.nz

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the IIA NZ is to be held via video conference on Friday 29 May 2020 commencing at 12 noon.
Please register your attendance here.

The video link will be emailed to those registered in the week prior to the AGM.

Annual Report

A copy of the 2019 Annual Report is now available.

To assist with the flow of the AGM please send any questions relating to the Annual Report to admin@iianz.org.nzprior to the close of business on Monday 25 May 2020. These will be answered during the AGM. This does not preclude the asking of questions at the AGM.

Likewise, any matters of General Business are to be emailed to admin@iianz.org.nz by the close of business on Monday 25 May 2020. This does not preclude the raising of items at the AGM.

IIA Global Survey Reminder

The IIA invites CAEs and directors to participate in their survey to learn how COVID-19 has impacted internal audit and their organisations. The survey is now live and will be open until 22 May 2020.

Start the Diversity and Inclusion Conversation Research shows that diversity within an organisation has a tangible impact on both workplace productivity and organisational value. In contrast, a lack of diversity is a relevant organisational risk. Learn the role of internal audit in The IIA's new report, Global Perspectives and Insights: Understanding the Effects of Diversity and Inclusion on Organisations. Download the NEW report today!

Save 40% in May Save up to 40% on select eBooks throughout May, including CIA exam prep and the IPPF. Spend your time and money wisely. Use code EBOOK40.

Being a trusted advisor in a time of crisis

It has never been more important for internal auditors to provide assurance and advice on risks facing their organisations. This video explores the attributes of trusted advisors, and it highlights how they are valuable during the COVID-19 crisis.
Watch the video.