QUALITIES AND COMPETENCIES

OF AN EFFECTIVE INTERNAL AUDITOR

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The competencies of an internal auditor and those qualities he or she must possess change
as do the standards, regulations, economics, or trends of the globalized world.
Organizations should always be open to hearing new ways to improve, need qualified
internal auditors to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of their critical processes; and
thus meet its strategic objectives. In addition, the powers of an internal auditor must aim
to fulfill those purposes that the company seeks in the development of economic activity and
corporate purpose.

Powers of an internal auditor

The competencies and skills of an internal auditor must be in line with the results that
organizations expect from the internal audit function. Technical skills are a prerequisite. But
those skills alone aren't enough; in addition, internal auditors must be people with the
following 6 characteristics:

1. Analytical thinking

This is a trend that is imposed in all areas of the organization. Increasingly, audit teams are
looking for auditors who do more than just their job. They want auditors who can analyze
"hot" data and offer a strategic vision.

2. Communication skills

Gone are the days when auditors barricaded themselves in a hidden office. Today, an
effective internal auditor must be able to communicate clearly and directly with all
members of the organization. This is a competence which becomes particularly relevant at
the time when the auditor, or the group of auditors, must communicate the results of their
work to the interested parties.
3. Integrity

While this virtue is important in any business environment, it is especially essential in

internal auditing. Internal auditors must be able to cultivate trust and respect in the other
professionals in the organization. They must also be able to trust their colleagues, so when
employees trust them, they allow them to investigate in depth the functioning of the
organization and to find what needs to be improved.

4. Reasonableness

Hearing that a certain process, which has been used for years, could be generating
organizational risk is never easy to digest. Therefore, the internal auditor must be
reasonable, and strive to build productive, highly collaborative and deep relationships with
the people with whom he works. Por of course, you must have the ability to react and
recover when faced with complex problems.

5. Capacity for inquiry

When we talk about non-technical skills, most organizations look for an auditor who refuses
to accept a superficial explanation. Having a passion for discovery and learning helps the
auditor make a thorough assessment of the organization. The organization must find an
auditor who has the ability to remain inquisitive in frequently changing environments.

6. Commitment

Being committed to an organization involves much more than attending the audit on time
and developing a checklist. The competencies of an effective internal auditor should include
the professional's ability to immerse himself in the organization's business and industry and
learn the complexities of the organization with interest.

In any case, each organization has its own functioning and can specify these and other
qualities to different degrees in an internal auditor. Hence, it is not possible to establish a
single profile for the efficient auditor. What, without any doubt, is essential in any
organization is that this professional has the appropriate training for the performance of
their tasks.

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