HomeMy Public PortalAboutR2614R E S O L U T I O N NO. 2614 WHEREAS, Section 7.030 of the Charter of The Metropolitan St. Louis
Sewer District requires that the Board of Trustees appoint an individual or a firm of
Certified Public Accountants to serve as the Internal Auditor of the District, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees wishes to adopt a Charter for the
Internal Auditor in order to formalize the Internal Auditor's procedures and
interactions with the Board, to create a foundation for the governance oversight
responsibilities of the Internal Auditor, and to further define the role and regulatory
structure of the Internal Auditor in accordance with the District's Charter,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT THAT, the
Charter of the Internal Auditor of the District, as attached hereto and made a part
hereof, be and is hereby adopted.
The foregoing Resolution was adopted November 10, 2005.
(ATTACHMENT)
Internal Audit Charter
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Internal Audit Charter is to assist the internal auditors in fulfilling their mission and
fiduciary responsibilities under the oversight of the Audit Committee. The provisions of this charter apply
to the activities of the Internal Audit function only, and should be used for no other purpose. This
document includes the following topics.
I. MISSION
II. OBJECTIVES & SCOPE
III. INDEPENDENCE
IV. AUTHORITY
V. ACCESS
VI. RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITY
VII. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
VIII. REPORT DISTRIBUTION & FOLLOW-UP
IX. RELATIONSHIP TO PREVENTION, DETECTION & CORRECTION ACTIVITIES
X. SIGNATURE SECTION
I. MISSION
The mission of Internal Audit is to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting services
designed to add value and improve efficiencies in the operation of the District. It assists the Board and
the Executive Director in accomplishing their oversight responsibilities by bringing a systematic,
disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, internal control, and
governance processes. The following are specific tasks to be carried out by Internal Audit to accomplish
the mission:
Supporting the District’s efforts to achieve their objectives through conducting an annual risk
assessment, designing and executing an annual audit plan, and providing a wide range of
quality independent internal auditing services
Assessing the integrity, quality, and efficiency of the systems of internal control
Assessing the degree to which the District complies with various policies, procedures, laws,
and regulations in a manner that facilitates operational efficiency, quality of service, and
fiduciary responsibility
Examining and testing the performance of important control elements.
Assessing the integrity of the financial reporting processes
Communicating results of audit projects through timely written reports delivered to the Board,
the Executive Director, and management identified as stakeholders
Assessing through follow-up audit projects the degree to which management action
plans created in response to recommendations in audit reports are carried out
effectively and timely
II. OBJECTIVES & SCOPE
Auditing Objectives. The objectives of the auditing services are to provide independent assurance to the
Audit Committee and management that assets are safeguarded, operating efficiency is enhanced, and
compliance is maintained with prescribed laws and regulations and Board and management policies.
These objectives of auditing services include an independent assessment of the District’s risk awareness,
reliability and integrity of the District’s data and information, and achievement of the District’s goals and
objectives.
Consulting and Advisory Objectives. The objectives of internal audit’s consulting and advisory services
are to provide management with recommendations for improving processes that will advance the goals
and objectives to successfully achieve the overall mission of the District. The objectives will also allow
internal audit the opportunity to follow-up with management to ensure action steps were taken to mitigate
the risk.
Scope. The scope of work of internal audit is to determine whether the District’s network of risk
management, internal control, and governance processes, as designed and represented by management,
are adequate and functioning in a manner to ensure:
• Programs are operating within the highest fiduciary standards and are in compliance with the
requirements defined in Federal and State constitutions, laws, and regulations, local
government ordinances and rules, and the policies and procedures of the District
• Programs and processes are in synchrony with industry best practices, using the best public
and private examples and all resources available as benchmarks
• Significant legislative or regulatory issues impacting the District are recognized and
addressed appropriately and timely
• Operations, processes and programs are consistent with established missions, objectives
and goals and they are being executed in accordance with management’s plan
• Existing policies and procedures are appropriate and updated
• Internal and external risks are identified and managed
• Employers appropriately enroll employees, accurately report member earnings, and
appropriately report other employee data
• Interaction with appropriate governance groups occurs as needed
• Significant financial, managerial, and operating information is accurate, reliable, and timely
• Resources are acquired economically, used efficiently, and adequately protected
• Quality service and continuous improvement are fostered in the District’s control process
• Contractors, including third-party administrators, are meeting the objectives of the contracts,
while in conformance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and best
practices and the District’s contract monitoring process is effective to ensure minimal risk
• Responsibilities and activities of the external financial statement auditors are coordinated with
those of the internal auditors in order to provide continuity of audit efforts and to avoid
duplication
• Access for auditors is provided as appropriate and timely.
• Specific operations, processes or programs are reviewed at the request of the Audit
Committee, the Board, and management
Opportunities for improving member service, management of risks, internal control, governance, cost
benefit, and the District’s effectiveness and image may be identified during audits. This information will be
communicated to the Audit Committee and to appropriate levels of management.
III. INDEPENDENCE
Independence Professional Standards. The Audit Committee recognizes that professional
independence requires the auditors have knowledge of operations and appropriate expertise in the
subject matter that is being audited. Internal Audit must provide the credentials of any or all staff
members upon request of the Audit Committee.
Conflict of Interest. Internal Audit shall discuss any potential issues regarding impairment
of independence and/or conflicts of interest and their mitigation(s) with the Audit Committee as
necessary.
IV. AUTHORITY
The Internal Audit function is established by the Charter of the District of this District and governed by the
Audit Committee. This Charter is approved and all future amendments to it are to be approved by the
Audit Committee through a majority vote. This Charter shall be reviewed at least annually and updated
as required by the Audit Committee.
Internal Audit functionally reports to the Audit Committee. Meetings are held with the Audit Committee
on at least a quarterly basis. The portion of the Audit Committee agenda regarding Internal Audit
generally includes:
• A discussion of current year Plan status
• Points of emphasis of audit reports issued in the quarter
• Status of audits in process
• Changes or proposed changes to the Plan
• Audit follow-up status reports as necessary (based on exceptions noted)
• Special requests for audits from the Board
• Closed sessions, when necessary, and provided for by state law
The Audit Committee retains the right to provide input and approve the annual audit plan presented by
Internal Audit. The risk assessment and Plan are discussed in the meeting at the end of the quarter in
which they are completed. Internal Audit shall inform the Audit Committee of the status of the audit plan
and any changes needed. Management may request special audits outside of the plan to be conducted,
which must be approved by the Audit Committee in advance. Any proposed additions, or deletions to the
plan must be approved by the Audit Committee within amounts authorized by the Board. The mission,
responsibilities, and workings of the Audit Committee are described in the committee charter.
Internal Audit staff is not authorized to initiate or approve accounting transactions external to those
related to the function. Internal Audit staff is not authorized to direct the activities of any employee not
employed by the function, except to the extent such employees have been appropriately assigned to
auditing teams or to otherwise assist the internal auditors.
V. ACCESS
Internal Audit staff, as appropriate, are granted authority for full, free and unrestricted access to all of the
District’s functions, records, files and information systems, personnel, contractors, external auditors,
physical properties, rental locations, and any other item relevant to the function, process or department
under review. All contracts with vendors shall contain standard audit language enabling the internal
auditors and other auditors and specialists to have access to relevant records and information.
Documents and information given to Internal Audit shall be handled in the same prudent and confidential
manner as by those employees normally accountable for them. All employees are required to assist the
staff of Internal Audit in fulfilling their audit functions and fiduciary duties.
VI. RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITY
Internal Audit is responsible for the following in order to meet the mission, objectives and scope of this
Charter:
1. Establish policies for conducting Internal Audit activities and directing its technical and
administrative functions according to the District’s policies and direction provided by the Audit
Committee and professional standards described in Section VIII.
2. Perform an annual risk-assessment and review the flexible annual audit plan that will
accomplish the mission, objectives and scope of this Charter. This plan will include some
unassigned hours in order to provide flexibility for changing conditions. This plan shall in part
be based upon risks and control concerns identified by management.
3. Facilitate the implementation of the audit plan.
4. Implement the annual audit plan, as approved, including, as appropriate, any plan
amendments, special tasks or projects requested by management, the Board, and the Audit
Committee.
5. Obtain updates to follow-up on management action plans as they relate to the
recommendations provided by Internal Audit for improvement to ensure the risks are being
mitigated timely.
6. Transmit copies of all audit reports and management letters to the Audit Committee.
7. Assess periodically whether the purpose, authority and responsibility, as defined in this
Charter, continue to be adequate to accomplish its mission, objectives and scope. The result
of this periodic assessment should be communicated to the Audit Committee.
8. Assist in the investigation of significant suspected fraudulent activities within the District and
notify the Audit Committee, the Board and other Executives, as appropriate, of the results.
VII. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Internal Audit shall follow the professional standards of relevant professional Districts. These
professional standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Professional Standards and Code of Ethics
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Professional Standards and Code
of Ethics, as applicable.
• Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) from the United States
General Accounting Office (GAO), as applicable.
VIII. REPORT DISTRIBUTION & FOLLOW-UP
Draft audit reports are first distributed to management and then the Executive Director
for comments. After comments, they are then distributed to the applicable department
head. Internal Audit is responsible for obtaining management responses and issuing
the final version of the audit report according to the following time schedule:
• Once a draft report is issued to a department head, 15 business days are allowed for management
responses to be prepared and forwarded to Internal Audit. Internal Audit may extend the deadline,
though the maximum number of business days for a response will be 25 days.
• Upon receipt of acceptable management responses, Internal Audit has 10 business days to issue the
final version of the report.
" I n c a s e s w h e r e t h e d e p a r t m e n t u n d e r r e v i e w d o e s n o t m e e t t h e a b o v e s c h e d u l e , I n t e r n a l A u d i t h a s
t h e a u t h o r i t y t o i s s u e t h e r e p o r t w i t h o u t m a n a g e m e n t r e s p o n s e s .
F i n a l a u d i t r e p o r t s a r e d i s t r i b u t e d a s f o l l o w s :
" T h e d e p a r t m e n t h e a d , u n d e r r e v i e w , r e c e i v e s a c o m p l e t e c o p y o f t h e f u l l r e p o r t .
" T h e E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r , t h e B o a r d , a n d t h e A u d i t C o m m i t t e e a l s o r e c e i v e a c o p y o f t h e f u l l r e p o r t .
I X . R E L A T I O N S H I P T O P R E V E N T I O N , D E T E C T I O N A N D C O R R E C T I O N A C T I V I T I E S
I n t e r n a l A u d i t s t r i v e s t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e i n i t i a l s t a g e s o f m a j o r D i s t r i c t - w i d e p r o j e c t s s o t h a t r i s k s c a n b e
a p p r o p r i a t e l y m a n a g e d a n d i n t e r n a l c o n t r o l s i n s t i t u t e d i n t h e d e s i g n p h a s e i n o r d e r t o p r e v e n t p r o b l e m s
a n d m i n i m i z e t h e a s s o c i a t e d c o s t s . I t r e c o g n i z e s t h a t i t i s m o r e e x p e n s i v e t o d e t e c t a n d c o r r e c t
p r o b l e m s t h a n i t i s t o p r e v e n t t h e m i n t h e i n i t i a l s t a g e s o f a p r o j e c t .
X . S I G N A T U R E S E C T I O N
T h e A u d i t C o m m i t t e e a d o p t e d t h i s I n t e r n a l A u d i t C h a r t e r o n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , a n d t r a n s m i t t e d i t t o t h e B o a r d .
T h e I n t e r n a l A u d i t C h a r t e r i s e f f e c t i v e t h i s d a y a n d i s h e r e b y s i g n e d b y t h e f o l l o w i n g p e r s o n s w h o h a v e
a u t h o r i t y a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s u n d e r t h i s C h a r t e r .
C h a i r , A u d i t C o m m i t t e e D a t e C h a i r , B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s D a t e
E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r D a t e