The Office of the Independent City Auditor examines and evaluates departments' activities as a service to the City's management and the public. The Office acts as an integral part of the City's overall internal control system by measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of other controls in the City. The Office provides the City's management with information about the adequacy and effectiveness of its system of internal controls and the quality of operating performance when compared with established standards and other municipalities. To accomplish this all City agency and department activities as well as outside agencies receiving funding from the City are subject to audit.

Definition

The Institute of Internal Auditors defines internal auditing as an independent, objective, assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. Internal auditing helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance process.

Internal auditing reviews the reliability and integrity of information, compliance with policies and regulations, the safeguarding of assets, the economical and efficient use of resources, and established operational goals and objectives. Internal auditing encompasses financial activities and operations including systems, production, engineering, marketing and human resources.