Risk-Based Internal Audit: A Proactive Approach to Risk Management

Risk-Based Internal Audit:  Introduction

Risk Based Internal Audit (RBIA) is a framework that is used by organizations to evaluate and improve their internal control systems. The main goal of RBIA is to identify and assess risks within the organization and to provide assurance that these risks are being effectively managed.

By focusing on the areas of the organization that pose the greatest risk, RBIA allows internal auditors to prioritize their work and ensure that they are addressing the most critical risks first. This proactive approach to cyber risk management can help to reduce the likelihood of costly errors or incidents that could impact the organization’s reputation or financial performance. In this article, we will explore the key principles of RBIA and how it can be implemented effectively within an organization.

 

Risk-Based Internal Audit:  Implementation

RBIA is based on the principle that internal audit activities should be focused on the areas of the organization that pose the greatest risk. One of the key benefits of RBIA is that it allows organizations to be proactive in managing risk. By identifying potential risks early on, internal auditors can help to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. This can help to reduce the likelihood of costly errors or incidents that could impact the organization’s reputation or financial performance.

To implement an effective RBIA framework, organizations should follow several key steps:

1. Identify and assess risks:
   The first step in RBIA is to identify the risks facing the organization. This involves reviewing financial and operational data and consulting with employees and stakeholders.
2. Develop a risk management plan:
   Once risks have been identified, the organization should develop a plan to manage these risks. This may involve implementing controls or processes to mitigate risk, setting up monitoring systems to track risks, and establishing contingency plans in case of unforeseen events.
3. Conduct internal audits:
   Internal auditors should then conduct audits to assess whether the organization’s risk management plan is effective. This may involve reviewing documentation, observing processes, and testing controls to ensure that they are functioning as intended.
4. Report findings:
   After conducting an audit, internal auditors should report their findings to management and the board of directors. This should include a description of the risks identified, the effectiveness of the organization’s risk management plan, and any recommendations for improvement.

By following these steps, organizations can establish an effective RBIA framework that helps them to identify and manage risks effectively. This can help to improve the organization’s internal control systems, reduce the likelihood of errors or incidents, and protect the organization’s reputation and financial performance.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced in its circular that implementing RBIA is a mandate for financial institutions in India, as per RBI:

The RBIA framework has been mandated for all Scheduled Commercial Banks (except Regional Rural Banks) and certain Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) with asset sizes of ₹500 crores or more.

In India, The RBI has issued a Guidance Note on Risk-Based Internal Audit that outlines the basic principles for this framework. Banks are encouraged to adopt the international standards set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

In order to ensure a smooth transition from the existing system to RBIA, the concerned entities constitute a committee of senior executives.

• The committee is entrusted with the responsibility of formulating a suitable action plan.
• The committee also addresses transitional and change management issues and should report progress periodically to the board and senior management.
• The board is primarily responsible for Internal audits.

 

Risk-Based Internal Audit: Benefits

RBIA framework implementation mandate will help streamline the audit procedures in financial institutions, while the benefits might not be immediate but the following benefits will be seeable in near future:

• The adoption of the RBIA framework is in alignment with the momentum that RBI has showcased in the deep supervision of non-bank entities.
• It could potentially have a larger impact on the market, either in terms of the consumer base or the system itself.
• This implementation will Improve governance and assurance functions at supervised entities.
• This will strengthen the quality and effectiveness of the internal audit system which works as a third line of defense.
• This aligns the supervision of NBFCs to those of banks and helps in easing the conversion of NBFCs to banks.

 

Risk-Based Internal Audit: Conclusion

Risk-based internal audit is expected to be an aid to the ongoing risk management in banks by providing necessary checks and balances in the system. However, since risk-based internal audits will be a fairly new exercise for most Indian banks, a gradual but effective approach would be necessary for its implementation. Overall, the Risk Based Internal Audit (RBIA) framework is important for organizations to strengthen their governance arrangements and improve their internal control systems.

By following the guidelines outlined in the RBI’s Guidance Note and adopting international standards, banks can ensure that their internal audit function is effective and helps to mitigate risk. ASPIA helps implement RBIA for organizations, if you want to get details on how ASPIA can help, reach us at contact@aspiainfotech.com 

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