Thông tư 8/2021/TT-BTC

CIRCULAR

PROMULGATION OF VIETNAMESE STANDARDS AND THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR INTERNAL AUDITING

Pursuant to the Law on Accounting No. 88/2015/QH13 on November 20, 2015;

Pursuant to Decree No. 05/2019/ND-CP dated January 22, 2019 of the Government on internal auditing;

Pursuant to Government's Decree No. 87/2017/ND-CP dated July 26, 2017 on functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

At the request of Director of Department of Accounting and Auditing Management and Supervision;

The Minister of Finance promulgates a Circular on the Vietnamese Standards and the Code of Ethics for Internal Auditing.

Article 1. Scope

This Circular promulgate the Vietnamese Standards (Appendix I) and the Code of Ethics for Internal Auditing (Appendix II).

Article 2. Regulated entities

1. The Vietnamese Standards and the Code of Ethics for internal auditing apply to enterprises, regulatory agencies, public sector entities prescribed in Articles 8, 9 and 10 of Decree No. 05/2019/ND-CP dated January 22, 2019 of the Government on internal audit and relevant entities in the internal audit activity of these organizations.

2. Organizations not specified in clause 1 hereof are recommended to perform Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing and the Code of Ethics for Internal Auditing in Appendix I and II hereto appended.

Article 3. Implementation

1. This Circular comes into force as of April 1, 2021.

2. Director of Department of Accounting and Auditing Management and Supervision, the Chief of the Ministry Office and heads of relevant organizations shall provide guidelines and implement this Circular.

APPENDIX I

VIETNAMESE STANDARDS FOR INTERNAL AUDITING
(Issued together with Circular No. 8/2021/TT-BTC dated January 25, 2021 of the Minister of Finance)

Introduction to the Standards

Internal auditing is conducted for organizations that vary in purpose, size, complexity, and structure; and by persons within or outside the organization. Conformance with Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing (Standards) is essential in meeting the responsibilities of internal auditors and the internal audit activity.

The purpose of the Standards is to

1. Provide a framework for performing and promoting a broad range of value-added internal auditing services.

2. Establish the basis for the evaluation of internal audit performance.

3. Foster improved organizational processes and operations.

The Standards are a set of principles-based, mandatory requirements consisting of:

- Statements of core requirements for the professional practice of internal auditing and for evaluating the effectiveness of performance that are internationally applicable at organizational and individual levels.

- Interpretations clarifying terms or concepts within the Standards.

The Standards comprise two main categories: attribute standards and performance standards.

Attribute Standards: address the attributes of organizations and individuals performing internal auditing.

Performance Standards: describe the nature of internal auditing and provide quality criteria against which the performance of these services can be measured.  Attribute and Performance Standards apply to all internal audit services.

Implementation Standards expand upon the Attribute and Performance Standards by providing the requirements applicable to assurance (.A) or consulting (.C) services.

Assurance services involve the internal auditor’s objective assessment of evidence to provide opinions or conclusions regarding an entity, operation, function, process, system, or other subject matters.  The nature and scope of an assurance engagement are determined by the internal auditor.

Generally, three parties are participants in assurance services:

(1) the person or group directly involved with the entity, operation, function, process, system, or other subject matter - the process owner,

(2) the person or group making the assessment - the internal auditor,

(3) the person or group using the assessment - the user.

Consulting services are advisory in nature and are generally performed at the specific request of an engagement client.  The nature and scope of the consulting engagement are subject to agreement with the engagement client.  Consulting services generally involve two parties:

(1) the person or group offering the advice - the internal auditor,

(2) the person or group seeking and receiving the advice - the engagement client.

When performing consulting services the internal auditor should maintain objectivity and not assume management responsibility.

The Standards apply to individual internal auditors and the internal audit activity.  All internal auditors are accountable for conforming with the standards related to individual objectivity, proficiency, and due professional care and the standards relevant to the performance of their job responsibilities. Chief audit executives are additionally accountable for the internal audit activity’s overall conformance with the Standards.

If internal auditors or the internal audit activity is prohibited by law or regulation from conformance with certain parts of the Standards as prohibited by law or regulations, conformance with all other parts of the Standards and appropriate disclosures are needed.

If the Standards are used in conjunction with requirements issued by other authoritative bodies, internal audit communications may also cite the use of other requirements, as appropriate.  In such a case, if the internal audit activity indicates conformance with the Standards and inconsistencies exist between the Standards and other requirements, internal auditors and the internal audit activity must conform to the Standards and may conform with the other requirements if such requirements are more restrictive.

Definition

For the purposes of this Circular, the following term has the meaning attributed as follows

Board: means the highest level of governing body in an organization (e.g., a board of directors/council of members/president of enterprise, Minister, Head of ministerial-level agency, Head of Governmental agency, the President of People’s Committee of province or central-affiliated city, Head of public sector entity) charged with the responsibility to direct and/or oversee the organization’s activities and hold senior management accountable.  Furthermore, “board” in the Standards may refer to a committee or another body to which the governing body has delegated certain functions (e.g., an audit committee affiliated to the board of directors).

Senior management: refers to boards of general directors and chief executives of enterprises; leaders of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Governmental agencies, the People’s Committees of provinces/central-affiliated cities, public sector entities; heads of affiliated entities of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Governmental agencies, the People’s Committees of provinces/central-affiliated cities, public sector entities.

Chief audit executive: describes the role of a person, as prescribed by law or the organization, responsible for the internal audit activity of an organization.

Internal auditor: a person who perform the internal audit activity of an organization.

Relevant persons of internal auditor: natural father, natural mother, adoptive father, adoptive mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, spouse, natural children, adoptive children, biological brothers, biological sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law.

ATTRIBUTE STANDARDS

1000 - Purpose, Authority, and Responsibility

The purpose, authority, and responsibility of the internal audit activity must be formally defined in an internal audit charter, consistent with the Mission of Internal Audit and the mandatory elements of the Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing, the Code of Ethics. The chief audit executive must periodically review the internal audit charter and present it to senior management and the board for approval.

Interpretation:

The internal audit charter is a formal document that defines the internal audit activity's purpose, authority, and responsibility.  The internal audit charter establishes the internal audit activity's position within the organization, including the nature of the chief audit executive’s functional reporting relationship with the board; authorizes access to records, personnel, and physical properties relevant to the performance of assurance and consulting engagements; and defines the scope of internal audit activities.  Final approval of the internal audit charter resides with the board.

1000.A1 - The nature of assurance services provided to the organization must be defined in the internal audit charter.

1000.C1 - The nature of consulting services provided to the organization must be defined in the internal audit charter.

1010 - Recognizing Mandatory Guidance in the Internal Audit Charter

The mandatory nature of the Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing and the Code of Ethics must be recognized in the internal audit charter.  The chief audit executive should discuss the purpose, scope, authority and responsibility of the internal audit activity and the mandatory elements of the Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing, the Code of Ethics.

1100 - Independence and Objectivity

The internal audit activity must be independent, and internal auditors must be objective in performing their work.

Interpretation:

Independence is the freedom from conditions that threaten the ability of the internal audit activity to carry out internal audit responsibilities in an unbiased manner.  To achieve the degree of independence necessary to effectively carry out the responsibilities of the internal audit activity, the chief audit executive has direct and unrestricted access to senior management and the board. This can be achieved through a dual-reporting relationship. Threats to independence must be managed at the individual auditor, assurance and consulting engagements, functional, and organizational levels.

Objectivity is an unbiased mental attitude that allows internal auditors to perform assurance and consulting engagements in such a manner that they believe in their work product and that no quality compromises are made. Objectivity requires that internal auditors do not subordinate their judgment on audit matters to others.  Threats to objectivity must be managed at the individual auditor, assurance and consulting engagements, functional, and organizational levels.

1110 - Organizational Independence

The chief audit executive must report to a level within the organization that allows the internal audit activity to fulfill its responsibilities.  The chief audit executive must confirm to the board, at least annually, the organizational independence of the internal audit activity.

Interpretation:

Organizational independence is effectively achieved when the chief audit executive reports functionally to the board.  Examples of functional reporting to the board involve the board:

- Approving the internal audit charter;

- Approving the risk-based internal audit plan;

- Approving the internal audit budget and resource plan;

- Receiving communications from the chief audit executive on the internal audit activity’s performance relative to its plan and other matters;

- Approving decisions regarding the appointment and removal of the chief audit executive;

- Approving the remuneration of the chief audit executive;

- Making appropriate inquiries of management and the chief audit executive to determine whether there are inappropriate scope or resource limitations.

1110.A1 - The internal audit activity must be free from interference in determining the scope of internal auditing, performing work, and communicating results.  The chief audit executive must disclose such interference to the board and discuss the implications.

1111 - Direct Interaction with the Board

The chief audit executive must communicate and interact directly with the board.

1112 - Chief Audit Executive Roles Beyond Internal Auditing

Where the chief audit executive has or is expected to have roles and/or responsibilities that fall outside of internal auditing, safeguards must be in place to limit impairments to independence or objectivity.

Interpretation:

The chief audit executive may be asked to take on additional roles and responsibilities outside of internal auditing, such as responsibility for compliance or risk management activities.  These roles and responsibilities may impair, or appear to impair, the organizational independence of the internal audit activity or the individual objectivity of the internal auditor. Safeguards are those oversight activities, often undertaken by the board, to address these potential impairments, and may include such activities as periodically evaluating reporting lines and responsibilities and developing alternative processes to obtain assurance related to the areas of additional responsibility.

1120 - Individual Objectivity

Internal auditors must have an impartial, unbiased attitude and avoid any conflict of interest.

Interpretation:

Conflict of interest is a situation in which an internal auditor has a competing professional or personal interest.  Such competing interests can make it difficult to fulfill his or her duties impartially. A conflict of interest exists even if no unethical or improper act results. A conflict of interest can create an appearance of impropriety that can undermine confidence in the internal auditor, the internal audit activity, and the profession. A conflict of interest could impair an individual's ability to perform his or her duties and responsibilities objectively.

1130 - Impairment to Independence or Objectivity

If independence or objectivity is impaired in fact or appearance, the details of the impairment must be disclosed to appropriate parties.  The nature of the disclosure will depend upon the impairment.

Interpretation:

Impairment to organizational independence and individual objectivity may include, but is not limited to, personal conflict of interest, scope limitations, restrictions on access to records, personnel, and properties, and resource limitations, such as funding.

The determination of appropriate parties to which the details of an impairment to independence or objectivity must be disclosed is dependent upon the expectations of the internal audit activity’s and the chief audit executive’s responsibilities to senior management and the board as described in the internal audit charter, as well as the nature of the impairment.

1130.A1 - Internal auditors must refrain from assessing specific operations for which they were previously responsible.  Objectivity is presumed to be impaired if an internal auditor provides assurance services for an activity for which the internal auditor had engaged or had responsibility within 3 years before they are asked to stop doing that.

1130.A2 - Assurance engagements for functions over which the chief audit executive has responsibility must be overseen by a party outside the internal audit activity.

1130.A3 - The internal audit activity may provide assurance services where it had previously performed consulting services, provided the nature of the consulting did not impair objectivity and provided individual objectivity is managed when assigning resources to the engagement.

1130.C1 - Internal auditors may provide consulting services relating to operations for which they had previous responsibilities.

1130.C2 - If internal auditors have potential impairments to independence or objectivity relating to proposed consulting services, disclosure must be made to the engagement client prior to accepting the engagement.

1200 - Proficiency and Due Professional Care

Internal auditing must be performed with proficiency and due professional care.

1210 - Proficiency

Internal auditors must possess the knowledge, skills, and other competencies needed to perform their individual responsibilities.  The internal audit activity collectively must possess or obtain the knowledge, skills, and other competencies needed to perform its responsibilities.

Interpretation:

Proficiency is a collective term that refers to the knowledge, skills, and other competencies required of internal auditors to effectively carry out their professional responsibilities. It encompasses consideration of current activities, trends, and emerging issues, to enable relevant advice and recommendations.  Internal auditors are encouraged to demonstrate their proficiency by obtaining appropriate professional certifications and qualifications regarding internal auditing.

1210.A1 - The chief audit executive must obtain competent advice and assistance if the internal auditors lack the knowledge, skills, or other competencies needed to perform all or part of the engagement.

1210.A2 - Internal auditors must have sufficient knowledge to evaluate the risk of fraud and the manner in which it is managed by the organization, but are not expected to have the expertise of a person whose primary responsibility is detecting and investigating fraud.

1210.A3 - Internal auditors must have sufficient knowledge of key information technology risks and controls and available technology-based audit techniques to perform their assigned work.  However, not all internal auditors are expected to have the expertise of an internal auditor whose primary responsibility is information technology auditing.

1210.C1 - The chief audit executive must decline the consulting engagement or obtain competent advice and assistance if the internal auditors lack the knowledge, skills, or other competencies needed to perform all or part of the engagement.

1220 - Due Professional Care

Internal auditors must apply the care and skill expected of a reasonably prudent and competent internal auditor.  Due professional care does not imply infallibility.

1220.A1 - Internal auditors must exercise due professional care by considering the:

- Extent of work needed to achieve the engagement’s objectives.

- Relative complexity, materiality, or significance of matters to which assurance procedures are applied.

- Adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes.

- Probability of significant errors, fraud, or noncompliance.

- Cost of assurance in relation to potential benefits.

1220.A2 - In exercising due professional care internal auditors must consider the use of technology-based audit and other data analysis techniques.

1220.A3 - Internal auditors must be alert to the significant risks that might affect objectives, operations, or resources.  However, assurance procedures alone, even when performed with due professional care, do not guarantee that all significant risks will be identified.

1220.C1 - Internal auditors must exercise due professional care during a consulting engagement by considering the:

- Needs and expectations of clients, including the nature, timing, and communication of engagement results.

- Relative complexity and extent of work needed to achieve the engagement’s objectives.

- Cost of the consulting engagement in relation to potential benefits.

1230 - Continuing Professional Development

Internal auditors must enhance their knowledge, skills, and other competencies through continuing professional development.

1300 - Quality Assurance and Improvement Program

The chief audit executive must develop and maintain a quality assurance and improvement program that covers all aspects of the internal audit activity.

Interpretation:

A quality assurance and improvement program is designed to enable an evaluation of the internal audit activity’s conformance with the Standards and an evaluation of whether internal auditors apply the Code of Ethics.  The program also assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of the internal audit activity and identifies opportunities for improvement.  The chief audit executive should encourage board oversight in the quality assurance and improvement program.

1310 - Requirements of the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program

The quality assurance and improvement program must include both internal and external assessments.

1311 - Internal Assessments

Internal assessments must include:

- Ongoing monitoring of the performance of the internal audit activity.

- Periodic self-assessments

Interpretation:

Ongoing monitoring is an integral part of the day-to-day supervision, review, and measurement of the internal audit activity.  Ongoing monitoring is incorporated into the routine policies and practices used to manage the internal audit activity.  Ongoing monitoring uses processes, tools, and information considered necessary to evaluate conformance with the Standards and the Code of Ethics.

Periodic assessments are conducted to evaluate conformance with the Standards and the Code of Ethics.

Sufficient knowledge of internal audit practices requires at least an understanding of all elements of the Standards.

1312 - External Assessments

External assessments must be conducted at least once every five years by a qualified, independent assessor or assessment team from outside the organization.  The chief audit executive must discuss with the board:

- The form and frequency of external assessment.

- The qualifications, skills and independence of the external assessor or assessment team, including any potential conflict of interest.

Interpretation:

External assessments may be accomplished through a full external assessment, or a self-assessment with independent external validation.

A qualified assessor or assessment team demonstrates competence in two areas:  the professional practice of internal auditing and the external assessment process.  Competence can be demonstrated through a mixture of experience and theoretical learning.  Experience gained in organizations of similar size, complexity, sector or industry, and technical issues is more valuable than less relevant experience.  In the case of an assessment team, not all members of the team need to have all the competencies; it is the team as a whole that is qualified.  The chief audit executive uses professional judgment when assessing whether an assessor or assessment team demonstrates sufficient competence to be qualified.

An independent assessor or assessment team means not having either an actual or a perceived conflict of interest and not being a part of, or under the control of, the organization to which the internal audit activity belongs.  The chief audit executive should encourage board oversight in the external assessment to reduce perceived or potential conflicts of interest.

1320 - Reporting on the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program

The chief audit executive must communicate the results of the quality assurance and improvement program to senior management and the board.  Disclosure should include:

- The scope and frequency of both the internal and external assessments.

- The qualifications and independence of the assessor(s) or assessment team, including potential conflicts of interest.

- Conclusions of assessors.

- Corrective action plans.

Interpretation:

The form, content, and frequency of communicating the results of the quality assurance and improvement program is established through discussions with senior management and the board and considers the responsibilities of the internal audit activity and chief audit executive as contained in the internal audit charter.  To demonstrate conformance with the Standards and the Code of Ethics, the results of external and periodic internal assessments are communicated upon completion of such assessments, and the results of ongoing monitoring are communicated at least annually.  The results include the assessor’s or assessment team’s evaluation with respect to the degree of conformance.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

2000 - Managing the Internal Audit Activity

The chief audit executive must effectively manage the internal audit activity to ensure it adds value to the organization.

Interpretation:

The internal audit activity is effectively managed when:

- It achieves the purpose and responsibility included in the internal audit charter.

- It conforms to the Standards.

- The internal auditors conform to the Code of Ethics and the Standards.

- It considers trends and emerging issues that could impact the organization.

The internal audit activity adds value to the organization and its stakeholders when it considers strategies, objectives, and risks; strives to offer ways to enhance governance, risk management, and control processes; and objectively provides relevant assurance.

2010 - Planning

The chief audit executive must establish a risk-based plan to determine the priorities of the internal audit activity, consistent with the organization’s goals.

Interpretation:

To develop the risk-based plan, the chief audit executive consults with senior management and the board and obtains an understanding of the organization’s strategies, key business objectives, associated risks, and risk management processes.  The chief audit executive must review and adjust the plan, as necessary, in response to changes in the organization’s business, risks, operations, programs, systems, and controls.

2010.A1 - The internal audit activity’s plan of engagements must be based on a documented risk assessment, undertaken at least annually.  The input of senior management and the board must be considered in this process.

2010.A2 - The chief audit executive must identify and consider the expectations of senior management, the board, and other stakeholders for internal audit opinions and other conclusions.

2010.C1 - The chief audit executive should consider accepting proposed consulting engagements based on the engagement’s potential to improve management of risks, add value, and improve the organization’s operations.  Accepted engagements must be included in the plan.

2020 - Communication and Approval

The chief audit executive must communicate the internal audit activity’s plans and resource requirements, including significant interim changes, to senior management and the board for review and approval.  The chief audit executive must also communicate the impact of resource limitations.

2030 - Resource Management

The chief audit executive must ensure that internal audit resources are appropriate, sufficient, and effectively deployed to achieve the approved plan.

Interpretation:

Appropriate refers to the mix of knowledge, skills, and other competencies needed to perform the plan.  Sufficient refers to the quantity of resources needed to accomplish the plan.  Resources are effectively deployed when they are used in a way that optimizes the achievement of the approved plan.

2040 - Policies and Procedures

The chief audit executive must establish policies and procedures to guide the internal audit activity.

Interpretation:

The form and content of policies and procedures are dependent upon the size and structure of the internal audit activity and the complexity of its work.

2050 - Coordination and Reliance

The chief audit executive should share information, coordinate activities, and consider relying upon the work of other internal and external assurance and consulting service providers to ensure proper coverage and minimize duplication of efforts.

Interpretation:

In coordinating activities, the chief audit executive may rely on the work of other assurance and consulting service providers.  A consistent process for the basis of reliance should be established, and the chief audit executive should consider the competency, objectivity, and due professional care of the assurance and consulting service providers.  The chief audit executive should also have a clear understanding of the scope, objectives, and results of the work performed by other providers of assurance and consulting services.  Where reliance is placed on the work of others, the chief audit executive is still accountable and responsible for ensuring adequate support for conclusions and opinions reached by the internal audit activity.

2060 - Reporting to Senior Management and the Board

The chief audit executive must report periodically to senior management and the board on the internal audit activity’s purpose, authority, responsibility, and performance relative to its plan and on its conformance with the Standards and the Code of Ethics.  Reporting must also include significant risk and control issues, including fraud risks, governance issues, and other matters that require the attention of senior management and/or the board.

Interpretation:

The frequency and content of reporting are determined collaboratively by the chief audit executive, senior management, and the board.  The frequency and content of reporting depends on the importance of the information to be communicated and the urgency of the related actions to be taken by senior management and/or the board.

The chief audit executive’s reporting and communication to senior management and the board must include information about:

- The audit charter.

- Independence of the internal audit activity.

- The audit plan and progress against the plan.

- Resource requirements.

- Results of audit activities.

- Conformance with the Standards and the Code of Ethics, and action plans to address any significant conformance issues.

- Management’s response to risk that, in the chief audit executive’s judgment, may be unacceptable to the organization.

These and other chief audit executive communication requirements are referenced throughout the Standards.

2070 - External Service Provider and Organizational Responsibility for Internal Auditing

When an external service provider serves as the internal audit activity, the provider must make the organization aware that the organization has the responsibility for maintaining an effective internal audit activity.

Interpretation:

This responsibility is demonstrated through the quality assurance and improvement program which assesses conformance with the Standards and the Code of Ethics.

2100 - Nature of Work

The internal audit activity must evaluate and contribute to the improvement of the organization’s governance, risk management, and control processes using a systematic, disciplined, and risk-based approach. Internal audit credibility and value are enhanced when auditors are proactive and their evaluations offer new insights and consider future impact.

2110 - Governance

The internal audit activity must assess and make appropriate recommendations to improve the organization’s governance processes for:

- Making strategic and operational decisions.

- Overseeing risk management and control.

- Promoting appropriate ethics and values within the organization.

- Ensuring effective organizational performance management and accountability.

- Communicating risk and control information to appropriate areas of the organization.

- Coordinating the activities of, and communicating information among, the board, external and internal auditors, other assurance providers, and management.

2110.A1 - The internal audit activity must evaluate the design, implementation, and effectiveness of the organization’s ethics-related objectives, programs, and activities.

2110.A2 - The internal audit activity must assess whether the information technology governance of the organization supports the organization’s strategies and objectives.

2120 - Risk Management

The internal audit activity must evaluate the effectiveness and contribute to the improvement of risk management processes.

Interpretation:

Determining whether risk management processes are effective is a judgment resulting from the internal auditor’s assessment that:

- Organizational objectives support and align with the organization’s mission.

- Significant risks are identified and assessed.

- Appropriate risk responses are selected that align risks with the organization’s risk appetite.

- Relevant risk information is captured and communicated in a timely manner across the organization, enabling staff, management, and the board to carry out their responsibilities.

The internal audit activity may gather the information to support this assessment during multiple engagements.  The results of these engagements, when viewed together, provide an understanding of the organization’s risk management processes and their effectiveness.

Risk management processes are monitored through ongoing management activities, separate evaluations, or both.

2120.A1 - The internal audit activity must evaluate risk exposures relating to the organization’s governance, operations, and information systems regarding the:

- Achievement of the organization’s strategic objectives.

- Reliability and integrity of financial and operational information.

- Effectiveness and efficiency of operations and programs.

- Safeguarding of assets.

- Compliance with laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and contracts.

2120.A2 - The internal audit activity must evaluate the potential for the occurrence of fraud and how the organization manages fraud risk.

2120.C1 - During consulting engagements, internal auditors must address risk consistent with the engagement’s objectives and be alert to the existence of other significant risks.

2120.C2 - Internal auditors must incorporate knowledge of risks gained from consulting engagements into their evaluation of the organization’s risk management processes.

2120.C3 - When assisting management in establishing or improving risk management processes, internal auditors must refrain from assuming any management responsibility by actually managing risks.

2130 - Control

The internal audit activity must assist the organization in maintaining effective controls by evaluating their effectiveness and efficiency and by promoting continuous improvement.

2130.A1 - The internal audit activity must evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of controls in responding to risks within the organization’s governance, operations, and information systems regarding the:

- Achievement of the organization’s strategic objectives.

- Reliability and integrity of financial and operational information.

- Effectiveness and efficiency of operations and programs.

- Safeguarding of assets.

- Compliance with laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and contracts.

2130.C1 - Internal auditors must incorporate knowledge of controls gained from consulting engagements into evaluation of the organization’s control processes.

2200 - Assurance or Consulting engagement Planning

Internal auditors must develop and document a plan for each assurance or consulting engagement, including the engagement’s objectives, scope, timing, and resource allocations.  The plan must consider the organization’s strategies, objectives, and risks relevant to the engagement.

2201 - Planning Considerations

In planning the engagement, internal auditors must consider:

- The strategies and objectives of the activity being reviewed and the means by which the activity controls its performance.

- The significant risks to the activity’s objectives, resources, and operations and the means by which the potential impact of risk is kept to an acceptable level.

- The adequacy and effectiveness of the activity’s governance, risk management, and control processes compared to a relevant framework or model.

- The opportunities for making significant improvements to the activity’s governance, risk management, and control processes.

2201.C1 - Internal auditors must establish an understanding with consulting engagement clients about objectives, scope, respective responsibilities, and other client expectations.  For significant engagements, this understanding must be documented.

2210 - Assurance or Consulting engagement Objectives

Objectives must be established for each engagement.

2210.A1 - Internal auditors must conduct a preliminary assessment of the risks relevant to the activity under review.  Engagement objectives must reflect the results of this assessment.

2210.A2 - Internal auditors must consider the probability of significant errors, fraud, noncompliance, and other exposures when developing the engagement objectives.

2210.A3 - Adequate criteria are needed to evaluate governance, risk management, and controls. Internal auditors must ascertain the extent to which management and/or the board has established adequate criteria to determine whether objectives and goals have been accomplished.  If adequate, internal auditors must use such criteria in their evaluation. If inadequate, internal auditors must identify appropriate evaluation criteria through discussion with management and/or the board.

Interpretation:

Types of criteria may include:

- Internal (e.g., policies and procedures of the organization).

- External (e.g., laws and regulations imposed by statutory bodies).

- Leading practices (e.g., industry and professional guidance).

2210.C1 - Consulting engagement objectives must address governance, risk management, and control processes to the extent agreed upon with the client.

2210.C2 - Consulting engagement objectives must be consistent with the organization's values, strategies, and objectives.

2220 - Engagement Scope

The established scope must be sufficient to achieve the objectives of the engagement.

2220.A1 - The scope of the engagement must include consideration of relevant systems, records, personnel, and physical properties, including those under the control of third parties.

2220.A2 - If significant consulting opportunities arise during an assurance engagement, a specific written understanding as to the objectives, scope, respective responsibilities, and other expectations should be reached and the results of the consulting engagement communicated in accordance with consulting standards.

2220.C1 - In performing consulting engagements, internal auditors must ensure that the scope of the engagement is sufficient to address the agreed-upon objectives.  If internal auditors develop reservations about the scope during the engagement, these reservations must be discussed with the client to determine whether to continue with the engagement.

2220.C2 - During consulting engagements, internal auditors must address controls consistent with the engagement’s objectives and be alert to significant control issues.

2230 - Engagement Resource Allocation

Internal auditors must determine appropriate and sufficient resources to achieve engagement objectives based on an evaluation of the nature and complexity of each engagement, time constraints, and available resources.

Interpretation:

Appropriate refers to the mix of knowledge, skills, and other competencies needed to perform the engagement.  Sufficient refers to the quantity of resources needed to accomplish the engagement with due professional care.

2240 - Engagement Work Program

Internal auditors must develop and document work programs that achieve the engagement objectives.

2240.A1 - Work programs must include the procedures for identifying, analyzing, evaluating, and documenting information during the engagement.  The work program must be approved prior to its implementation, and any adjustments approved promptly.

2240.C1 - Work programs for consulting engagements may vary in form and content depending upon the nature of the engagement.

2300 - Performing the Engagement

Internal auditors must identify, analyze, evaluate, and document sufficient information to achieve the engagement’s objectives.

2310 - Identifying Information

Internal auditors must identify sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful information to achieve the assurance or consulting engagement’s objectives.

Interpretation:

Sufficient information is factual, adequate, and convincing so that a prudent, informed person would reach the same conclusions as the auditor.  Reliable information is the best attainable information through the use of appropriate assurance or consulting engagement techniques.  Relevant information supports engagement observations and recommendations and is consistent with the objectives for the assurance or consulting engagement.  Useful information helps the organization meet its goals.

2320 - Analysis and Evaluation

Internal auditors must base conclusions and assurance or consulting engagement results on appropriate analyses and evaluations.

2330 - Documenting Information

Internal auditors must document sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful information to support the engagement results and conclusions.

2330.A1 - The chief audit executive must control access to engagement records. The chief audit executive must obtain the approval of senior management and/or legal counsel prior to releasing such records to external parties, as appropriate.

2330.A2 - The chief audit executive must develop retention requirements for engagement records, regardless of the medium in which each record is stored. These retention requirements must be consistent with the organization’s guidelines and any pertinent regulatory or other requirements.

2330.C1 - The chief audit executive must develop policies governing the custody and retention of consulting engagement records, as well as their release to internal and external parties.  These policies must be consistent with the organization’s guidelines and any pertinent regulatory or other requirements.

2340 - Engagement Supervision

Engagements must be properly supervised to ensure objectives are achieved, quality is assured, and staff is developed.

Interpretation:

The extent of supervision required will depend on the proficiency and experience of internal auditors and the complexity of the assurance or consulting engagement.  The chief audit executive has overall responsibility for supervising the assurance or consulting engagement, whether performed by or for the internal audit activity, but may designate appropriately experienced members of the internal audit activity to perform the review. Appropriate evidence of supervision is documented and retained.

2400 - Communicating Results

Internal auditors must communicate the results of assurance or consulting engagements.

2410 - Criteria for Communicating

Communications must include the engagement’s objectives, scope, and results.

2410.A1 - Final communication of engagement results must include applicable conclusions, as well as applicable recommendations and action plans.  Where appropriate, the internal auditors’ opinion should be provided.  An opinion must take into account the expectations of senior management, the board, and other stakeholders and must be supported by sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful information.

Interpretation:

Opinions at the engagement level may be ratings, conclusions, or other descriptions of the results. Such an engagement may be in relation to controls around a specific process, risk, or business unit.  The formulation of such opinions requires consideration of the engagement results and their significance.

2410.A2 - Internal auditors are encouraged to acknowledge satisfactory performance in engagement communications.

2410.A3 - When releasing engagement results to parties outside the organization, the communication must include limitations on distribution and use of the results.

2410.C1 - Communication of the progress and results of consulting engagements will vary in form and content depending upon the nature of the engagement and the needs of the client.

2420 - Quality of Communications

Communications must be accurate, objective, clear, concise, constructive, complete, and timely.

Interpretation:

Accurate communications are free from errors and distortions and are faithful to the underlying facts.  Objective communications are fair, impartial, and unbiased and are the result of a fair-minded and balanced assessment of all relevant facts and circumstances.  Clear communications are easily understood and logical, avoiding unnecessary technical language and providing all significant and relevant information.  Concise communications are to the point and avoid unnecessary elaboration, superfluous detail, redundancy, and wordiness.  Constructive communications are helpful to the engagement client and the organization and lead to improvements where needed.  Complete communications lack nothing that is essential to the target audience and include all significant and relevant information and observations to support recommendations and conclusions. Timely communications are opportune and expedient, depending on the significance of the issue, allowing management to take appropriate corrective action.

2421 - Errors and Omissions

If a final communication contains a significant error or omission, the chief audit executive must communicate corrected information to all parties who received the original communication.

2430 - Use of “Conducted in Conformance with the Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing”

Indicating that assurance and consulting engagements are conducted in conformance with the Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing.

2431 - Engagement Disclosure of Nonconformance

When nonconformance with the Standards and the Code of Ethics impacts a specific assurance or consulting engagement, communication of the results must disclose the:

- Principle(s) or rule(s) of conduct of the Standard(s) or the Code of Ethics with which full conformance was not achieved.

- Reason(s) for nonconformance.

- Impact of nonconformance on the engagement and the communicated engagement results.

2440 - Disseminating Results

The chief audit executive must communicate results to the appropriate parties.

Interpretation:

The chief audit executive is responsible for reviewing and approving the final engagement communication before issuance and for deciding to whom and how it will be disseminated.  When the chief audit executive delegates these duties, he or she retains overall responsibility.

2440.A1 - The chief audit executive is responsible for communicating the final results to parties who can ensure that the results are given due consideration.

2440.A2 - If not otherwise mandated by legal, statutory, or regulatory requirements, prior to releasing results to parties outside the organization the chief audit executive must:

- Assess the potential risk to the organization.

- Consult with senior management and/or legal counsel as appropriate.

- Control dissemination by restricting the use of the results.

2440.C1 - The chief audit executive is responsible for communicating the final results of consulting engagements to clients.

2440.C2 - During consulting engagements, governance, risk management, and control issues may be identified. Whenever these issues are significant to the organization, they must be communicated to senior management and the board.

2450 - Overall Opinions

When an overall opinion is issued, it must take into account the strategies, objectives, and risks of the organization; and the expectations of senior management, the board, and other stakeholders.  The overall opinion must be supported by sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful information.

Interpretation:

The communication will include:

- The scope, including the time period to which the opinion pertains.

- Scope limitations.

- Consideration of all related projects, including the reliance on other assurance providers.

- A summary of the information that supports the opinion.

- The risk or control framework or other criteria used as a basis for the overall opinion.

- The overall opinion, judgment, or conclusion reached.

The reasons for an unfavorable overall opinion must be stated.

2500 - Monitoring Progress

The chief audit executive must establish and maintain a system to monitor the disposition of results communicated to management.

2500.A1 - The chief audit executive must establish a follow-up process to monitor and ensure that management actions have been effectively implemented or that senior management has accepted the risk of not taking action.

2500.C1 - The internal audit activity must monitor the disposition of results of consulting engagements to the extent agreed upon with the client.

2600 - Communicating the Acceptance of Risks

When the chief audit executive concludes that management has accepted a level of risk that may be unacceptable to the organization, the chief audit executive must discuss the matter with senior management.  If the chief audit executive determines that the matter has not been resolved, the chief audit executive must communicate the matter to the board.

Interpretation:

The identification of risk accepted by management may be observed through an assurance or consulting engagement, monitoring progress on actions taken by management as a result of prior engagements, or other means.  It is not the responsibility of the chief audit executive to resolve the risk.

APPENDIX II

THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR INTERNAL AUDITING
(Issued together with Circular No. 8/2021/TT-BTC dated January 25, 2021 of the Minister of Finance)

1. Internal auditors are expected to apply and uphold the following principles:

a) Integrity

The integrity of internal auditors establishes trust and thus provides the basis for reliance on their judgment.

Internal auditors shall perform their work with honesty, diligence, and responsibility; shall observe the law and make disclosures expected by the law and the profession; shall not knowingly be a party to any illegal activity, or engage in acts that are discreditable to the profession of internal auditing or to the organization.

b) Objectivity

Internal auditors shall ensure objectivity, accuracy, honesty and fairness in the process of performing the tasks of the internal audit.  Internal auditors exhibit the highest level of professional objectivity in gathering, evaluating, and communicating information about the activity or process being examined.  Internal auditors make a balanced assessment of all the relevant circumstances and are not unduly influenced by their own interests or by others in forming judgments.

c) Confidentiality

Internal auditors respect the value and ownership of information they receive and do not disclose information without appropriate authority unless there is a legal or professional obligation to do so.

d) Professional competence and due care

Internal auditors apply the knowledge, skills, and experience needed in the performance of internal audit services. And act diligently in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards.

dd) Professional behavior

Internal auditors must comply with the relevant laws and regulations, avoid any action that may discredit the profession.

2. Chief audit executives, in addition to ensuring the code of ethics specified in Clause 1, Appendix II - Part of code of ethics for internal auditing, must also have measures to monitor, evaluate, management aims to ensure that the internal auditors comply with the code of ethics of internal auditing.

RULES OF CONDUCT

1. Integrity

Internal auditors:

1.1. Shall perform their work with honesty, diligence, and responsibility.

1.2. Shall observe the law and make disclosures expected by the law and the profession.

1.3. Shall not knowingly be a party to any illegal activity, or engage in acts that are discreditable to the profession of internal auditing or to the organization.

1.4. Shall respect and contribute to the legitimate and ethical objectives of the organization.

2. Objectivity

Internal auditors:

2.1. Shall not participate in any activity or relationship that may impair or be presumed to impair their unbiased assessment. This participation includes those activities or relationships that may be in conflict with the interests of the organization.

2.2. Shall not accept anything that may impair or be presumed to impair their professional judgment.

2.3. Shall disclose all material facts known to them that, if not disclosed, may distort the reporting of activities under review.

3. Confidentiality

Internal auditors:

3.1. Shall be prudent in the use and protection of information acquired in the course of their duties.

3.2. Shall not use information for any personal gain or in any manner that would be contrary to the law or detrimental to the legitimate and ethical objectives of the organization.

4. Proficiency and due professional care

Internal auditors:

4.1. Shall engage only in those services for which they have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience.

4.2. Shall perform internal audit services in accordance with the Vietnamese Standards for Internal Auditing.

4.3. Shall continually improve their proficiency and the effectiveness and quality of their services.

4.4. Shall act diligently in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards.

5. Professional behavior

Internal auditors:

5.1. Shall comply with relevant laws and regulations.

5.2. Shall avoid any action that the internal auditor knows may discredit the profession.