Mission Statement 

To carryout an independent and objective appraisal of the operations of Parliament.

Vision

To safeguard the organisation’s assets and interests from losses of all kinds, including those arising from frauds, irregularity or corruption.

Introduction

The Audit Department is one of the departments in the Office of the Clerk.  Government Accounting requires Controlling Officers to make provision for internal audit.  In 1990 the Internal Audit Department was established with specific terms of reference.  The Internal Audit fulfils its terms of reference by systematic review and evaluation of risk management, control and governance which comprises the policies, procedures and operations.

Scope of Work

The scope of work is as follows:

(a) To establish and monitor the achievement of Parliament’s objective.

(b) To identify, assess and manage the risks to achieving Parliament’s objectives.

(c) To advise on, formulate and evaluate policy, within the responsibilities of the controlling officer.

(d) To ensure the economical, effective and efficient use of resources.

(e) To ensure compliance with established policies (including behavioural and ethical expectations), procedures, laws and regulations.

(f) To safeguard Parliament’s assets and interests from losses of all kinds, including those arising from frauds, irregularity or corruption.

(g) To ensure the integrity and reliability of information, accounts and data, including internal and external reporting and accounting processes.

Types of Audit Carried Out 

Internal Audit fulfils its terms of reference by carrying out the following:

(i) Pre-audit of all payments.

(ii) Post audit.

(iii) Special Investigations.

(iv) Evaluation of internal control systems.

Reporting Structure

The Public Finance Act of 2004 clearly stipulates that an internal auditor shall submit reports to the Controlling Officer and the Audit Committee and such reports shall be copied to the Secretary to the Treasury and to the Auditor-General.

The reporting structure, therefore, is as follows:

(a) Controlling Officer.

(b) Audit Committee.

(c) Secretary to the Treasury.

(d) Auditor-General.

Status of the Head of Internal Audit

The Head of Internal Audit at Parliament is the Chief Internal Auditor who reports to the Controlling Officer on functional duties and to the Assistant Clerk on administrative duties.

Audit Committee

The Public Finance Act of 2004 requires each ministry, department and statutory corporation to establish an audit committee.

The functions of the audit committee are:

(a) Receive reports from internal auditors.

(b) Evaluate and review audit policy.
(c) Evaluate the management procedures:

(i) regarding internal control.

(ii) regarding financial reporting.

Composition of Audit Committee

According to the Public Finance Act of 2004, an audit committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Secretary to the Treasury as follows:

(a) Two Public Officers;

(b) One representative from the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants;

(c) One representative from the Law Association of Zambia; and

(d) One representative from any other professional body.

Members of the committee serve for a term of three (03) years and may be re-appointed for a further term of three (03) years.