CCHA-179 Internal Audit

CCHA is looking to procure the services of a suitably competent supplier to provide a five year Audit Strategy (incorporating a one year audit plan and a schedule of audit coverage for the remaining four years); derived through an evaluation of the CCHA risk maps and Corporate Strategy, conversations with the Finance Director, Housing Services Director and members of the Audit & Risk Committee plus an appraisal of sector risks (as informed by the regulator's sector risk profile document).

All audits to conform with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) and Global Internal Audit (GIAS). This will include a summary of the five-year external quality assessment.

Internal Audits

• The provision of risk-based assurance Internal Audits – selection of audits linked to risk register/Corporate Strategy, including an assessment of key financial controls and fraud.
• A follow-up of previous Internal Audit recommendations.

Management

• Annual planning, including management of ‘conflicts of interest’
• Professionally qualified audit staff with sufficient knowledge, skills and experience.
• Internal audit reporting, including risk-based assurance opinions and reporting on high, medium and low recommendations.
• Preparation for, and attendance at Audit & Risk Committee.
• Regular liaison and progress updates.
• Liaison with external audit and other assurance providers.
• Annual retrospective review of CCHA’s response to audit points raised

Value Added

• This could include in-depth knowledge of the sector risks, invitations to sector events and best practice dissemination from other sectors. This section is up to service providers to best demonstrate how their proposals will provide ‘added value’.

Service Standards

We expect the successful party to adhere to the following service standards:

The following standards and requirements will be required within the delivery of the contract services. Targets are provided for requirements.

• Annual Internal Audit plan agreed with CCHA - within two months of contract start date
• % of professionally qualified lead fieldwork auditors – 100%
• Provision of a Client Manager – one named person and contact details
• Draft internal audit scoping documents to CCHA – within one month of onsite audit.
• Lead auditor to contact CCHA to confirm logistical arrangements – at least 10 working days before audit fieldwork.
• De-brief meetings held between lead auditor and CCHA – last day of fieldwork or within one week of audit.
• Draft internal audit reports to CCHA – within 15 working days of the onsite audit fieldwork.
• Annual retrospective review of CCHA’s response to audit points raised – within two months of the year end
• Final internal audit report issued to CCHA following receipt of client responses – three working days.
• Attendance at quarterly Audit & Risk Committee meetings, including presentation of reports