Advocate Internal Auditing

Advocacy is defined by The IIA as "instilling pride in the internal audit profession, encouraging change, and building relationships with organizations and stakeholders that impact the profession globally."

Join the global advocacy effort and access the following Building Awareness Toolkit, which includes tips and templates for elevating and advocating for the internal audit profession. Download it today!

Building Awareness Toolkit

Advocacy at The IIA

At The IIA, advocacy is actively reaching out on behalf of internal auditors everywhere to promote and elevate the value of the work they do, and to educate and influence key stakeholders. The Institute is hard at work in developing relationships which broaden the business world’s understanding of internal auditing and of The IIA as the profession’s global voice, acknowledged leader, recognized authority, and principal educator. Engaging with stakeholders at the local, national, and regional levels is vital to The IIA’s advocacy efforts. Within this context, stakeholders include oversight bodies, regulators, government officials, standard-setting bodies, board of directors, audit committee members, executive management, external auditors, shareholders, customers, and the business community at large.

The IIA and Institutes throughout the world are advocating internal auditing by building and maintaining long-term relationships. These relationships are selected by The IIA’s Global Advocacy Committee (GAC) and the Global Board of Directors. The IIA is currently working with the following US-based organizations:

• The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
• The General Accountability Office (GAO)
• The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
• The Center for Audit Quality (CAQ)
• The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Financial Executives International (FEI)

What are the Desired End Results of Our Advocacy Efforts?

The IIA’s desired results are to:

• Influence standard-setting bodies, oversight entities, regulators, and other stakeholders to endorse or adopt the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards).
• Ensure that internal auditing is at the governance table and is acknowledged as a cornerstone of effective governance.
• Ensure that the internal auditing profession is universally recognized.

In October 2010, a new International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) Oversight Council was formed to serve as an independent evaluator and advisor to the IIA Global Board of Directors on the rigor of The IIA’s standard-setting process. This international council is charged with monitoring the process for developing the IPPF’s authoritative guidance for internal auditing professionals around the world. Organizations represented on the Oversight Council include:

• IFAC
• INTOSAI
• World Bank
• OECD
• National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)

The council’s oversight places additional rigor on top of The IIA’s existing standard-setting process.

Value Proposition

The IIA’s vision is to be the global voice of the internal audit profession: advocating its value, promoting best practices, and providing exceptional service to its members. The IIA has developed an easy-to-read value proposition that you can share with multiple audiences in understanding and promoting the profession.

Promoting the Profession

On behalf of the internal audit profession and IIA members, The Institute works tirelessly to elevate the profession and enhance professionalism. Building awareness of the value of internal auditing is a key component of The IIA’s advocacy efforts. The IIA offers a variety of resources designed to support your efforts in promoting the profession.

The IIA's Press Room

Find the latest IIA news about internal auditing in The IIA's Press Room.​