Free Practice Questions for IIA IIA-CIA-Part2 Exam

A draft internal audit report citing deficient conditions should be reviewed with relevant stakeholders to ensure accuracy, address concerns, and plan corrective actions. This includes the client manager and her superior (Option 1) to inform them of the findings and obtain their perspective. It should also be reviewed with anyone who may object to the report’s validity (Option 2) to address potential disagreements or misunderstandings early in the process. Finally, it should include anyone required to take action (Option 3) so they are aware of their responsibilities and can begin planning remediation efforts. While it may be beneficial to review with those who receive the final report (Option 4), it is not essential for the draft stage. References:

The IIA’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards), Standard 2440 - Disseminating Results.

According to IIA guidance, risk assessment is a critical step that precedes the development of audit engagement objectives. The risk assessment process helps internal auditors identify the key areas of risk within the organization, which then informs the setting of appropriate objectives for the audit engagement.

IIA Standard 2201 – Planning Considerations:

This standard requires internal auditors to consider risk when planning an engagement. The risk assessment process identifies the areas of highest risk, which allows the auditor to focus on the most critical issues during the engagement.

Role of Risk Assessment:

By assessing risks, the auditor can determine which processes or controls are most likely to affect the achievement of the organization’s objectives. This understanding is essential for setting the audit engagement’s objectives, ensuring that they are aligned with the areas of greatest concern.

IIA Practice Advisory 2210.A1-1:

The advisory suggests that auditors should use the results of the risk assessment to establish the scope, objectives, and priorities of the engagement. Without this risk assessment, the audit objectives may not fully address the most significant risks.

Option A (Identification of controls): This typically occurs after the objectives are set, as controls are evaluated based on the identified risks.

Option B (Scope establishment): The scope is determined after the objectives are set, which are based on the risk assessment.

Option D (Review of resources): This step is related to the allocation of resources after the objectives and scope are defined.

Detailed Explanation:Why Not Other Options?

The chief audit executive (CAE) can best illustrate the value of the internal audit activity by reporting the overall performance resulting from the internal audit balanced scorecard. The balanced scorecard includes metrics that measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the internal audit function, providing a comprehensive view of its contributions to the organization. This approach demonstrates how internal audit activities align with and support the organization's strategic objectives. References:

The IIA’s Practice Guide on Measuring Internal Audit Performance.

The IIA’s Practice Guide on Internal Audit Effectiveness.

A quality assurance and improvement program (QAIP) established by the chief audit executive (CAE) should ensure that the internal audit activity (IAA) adheres to the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards) and the IIA Code of Ethics. It should also aim to add value and improve the organization's operations. This comprehensive approach ensures that the internal audit function is not only compliant but also effective in enhancing the overall governance, risk management, and control processes within the organization.References:

IIA Standard 1300: Quality Assurance and Improvement Program.

IIA Standard 1320: Reporting on the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program.

According to the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards) issued by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) must communicate and obtain approval from the board for significant changes to the audit plan. A corporate merger is a significant event that introduces emerging risks, necessitating an interim adjustment to the audit plan. The CAE's responsibility includes ensuring that the board is informed and approves the revised audit plan to address these new risks adequately.

According to the IIA Standards, the primary factors in determining the adequacy of an annual audit plan include sufficiency, appropriateness, and effective deployment of resources. These elements ensure that the internal audit activity can effectively cover key risk areas, provide relevant assurance, and utilize resources efficiently. While cost-effectiveness is important, it is considered less critical compared to ensuring the audit plan is comprehensive and appropriately targeted. References: = IIA Standard 2010 - Planning.

Root cause analysis identifies underlying reasons for control deficiencies or inefficiencies, enabling organizations to address systemic issues and enhance controls. IIA Practice Guide: Root Cause Analysis (2018) highlights its role in promoting continuous improvement. Reperformance (Option A) and vouching (Option B) are audit techniques to verify accuracy but do not diagnose systemic issues. Independent confirmation (Option C) corroborates evidence but does not uncover root causes. Root cause analysis aligns with the CIA Part 2 objective of enhancing organizational efficiency.

Sorting the customer information is the most effective method for identifying duplicate accounts in a database of 100,000 customers. By sorting the database based on key identifiers such as customer name, address, or email, an internal auditor can quickly identify and review records that appear consecutively and have similar details, which is indicative of potential duplicates. This method is efficient and practical for handling large datasets.

The best description of the organization's procedures in this context is that they represent a cause of the organization's accumulation of large travel advances. The lack of a requirement for justification for travel advances greater than a specific amount is a procedural gap that directly contributes to the accumulation of large travel advances. This gap in the procedure is the root cause that leads to the observed condition of large travel advances accumulating without sufficient oversight or justification.References: IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, Standard 2310 – Identifying Information, and related practice advisories on root cause analysis in audit observations.

A risk-based approach to control self-assessment focuses on aligning the organization’s business objectives with the risks managed by specific work units. This method ensures that the controls are effectively designed and operated to mitigate risks that could impede achieving business objectives. Options A, B, and C describe evaluating controls and processes in specific contexts but do not illustrate the primary focus of linking business objectives with the associated risks at the work unit level, which is central to a risk-based approach.References:

IIA Practice Guide on Control Self-Assessment.

IIA Standard 2120: Risk Management.