Audit Committee Chair Survey 2022 – Internal Audit Effectiveness

Overview

The Public Service Commissioner designated a Head of Profession (HOP) last year to raise the profile, importance and expectations of internal audit and risk assurance functions. We know there are opportunities to strengthen professional practice and capability, develop talent and improve the value of assurance. Your perspectives and experience of internal audit are important for shaping the programme of work ahead of us.

The purpose of this survey is to assess the effectiveness of Internal Audit in Government Departments from the perspective of audit committee chairs. This survey is intended to complement a recent survey of public service department chief executives. Information from both surveys will be used to shape a programme of work to across the public service to strengthen the role of Internal Audit and improve the value of independent assurance for their organisations.

You are invited to take part in this survey questionnaire, which is designed to help the HOP understand what Audit Committees value in risk management and assurance. It should be completed by Audit Committee Chairs where possible.

The survey has four questions that use a five-point scale for response. Please rate the responses based on your judgement as they relate to you. These questions also have an optional comment box for you to provide additional narrative to explain your choices describe your understanding or make general comments.

There are two questions seeking your suggestions for improvements. Please complete a separate survey for each Public Sector agency Audit Committee you chair.

Summarised results and themes may be shared with the OAG Audit Committee Chairs Forum, the Public Sector Leadership Team and the Public Sector Assurance Forum. However there will be no attribution to Audit Committee Chairs or their agencies, and individual responses will not be shared.

Your input is important for raising professional practice of internal auditing and risk assurance in the Public Service. I hope you will be candid in your responses. There is an option to be interviewed if that is your preference. Please contact James Jong (james.jong@education.govt.nz) or Benn Jordan (benn.jordan@education.govt.nz) if you have any questions, concerns, or would like a follow-up interview to discuss your responses.