Mission Statement

To carry out 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 fraud, irregularity or corruption.

Introduction

The Internal 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 Department fulfils its terms of reference by a systematic review and evaluation of risk management, control and governance which comprises the policies, procedures and operations of the National Assembly as an Institution.

Scope of Work

The following is the Department’s scope of work:

i.to participate in the establishment and monitoring of the achievement of Parliament’s objectives;

ii. to identify, assess and manage the risks to achieving Parliament’s objectives;

iii. to advise on, formulate and evaluate policy, within the responsibilities of the controlling officer;

iv.  to ensure the economical, effective and efficient use of resources;

v.  to ensure compliance with established policies (including behavioral and ethical expectations), procedures, laws and regulations;

vi. to safeguard Parliament’s assets and interests from losses of all kinds, including those arising from frauds, irregularity or corruption; and

vii. 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. Financial audits

ii. Operational audits

iii.  Compliance audits

iv. Information Technology audits

v. Special investigations

Reporting Structure

The Public Finance Management Act of 2018 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:

i. Controlling Officer

ii. Audit Committee

iii. Secretary to the Treasury

iv. Auditor-General

Status of the Head of Internal Audit

The Head of Internal Audit at Parliament is the Director (Internal Audit) who reports to the Controlling Officer on functional duties and to the Deputy Clerk (Administration), on administrative duties.

Audit Committee

The Public Finance Management Act of 2018 requires each ministry, department and statutory corporation to establish an audit committee.

The functions of the audit committee are:

i. receive reports from internal auditors;

ii. evaluate and review audit policy;
iii. evaluate the management procedures;

iv. regarding internal control; and

v. regarding financial reporting.

Composition of Audit Committee

According to the Public Finance Management Act of 2018, an audit committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Secretary to the Treasury as follows:

i. a former public officer with extensive knowledge and experience in auditing or accounting;

ii.  a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants;

iii. a Member of the Law Association of Zambia;

iv. a representative from a professional institute responsible for internal Auditors; and

v. a Member of any other relevant 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.