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Guidance on the 8th EU Company Law Directive
                                     article 41
FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees
“Monitoring the effectiveness of
        internal control, internal audit and
        risk management systems”


         Guidance for
         boards and audit committees




                                               8th European Company Law Directive on Statutory Audit
                                                                DIRECTIVE 2006/43/EC – Art. 41-2b




                                                                                 21 September 2010


FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees   3
Peter den Dekker, President of Ferma

                                                                  Running a business has always been a matter of risk taking.
                                                                  The recent crisis has reinforced the necessity of managing
                                                                  risk, and has enhanced public expectations for economic
                                                                  actors to be more proactive in risk control.
                                                                  What’s new with the 8th EU Company Law Directive is that
                                                                  there is a clear responsibility given to boards of directors and
                                                                  to their audit committees. Senior management is expected to be


                                           !A good risk management system is like management systems on a racing car -
                                                                  involved in risk management and risk taking. Directors have
                                            to give direction depending on the risk appetite of shareholders.

                                            they help it to go faster, further and more safely.




                                           Claude Cargou, President of eCIIa

                                                                  The duty assigned to the board and its audit committee by
                                                                  Art 41 of the 8th Directive to “monitor the effectiveness of risk
                                                                  management and control systems” simply translates the
                                                                  expectations from participants in capital markets to receive
                                                                  transparent and reliable information on significant current
                                                                  and evolving risks for the organisation and on the way these
                                                                  risks are managed.
                                                                  This fiduciary obligation for boards and audit committees is no



                                           ! is where boards and audit committees can look to internal auditing for objective
                                           longer limited to financial reporting risks, as it was too often the case in the past.
                                           Today, they must also oversee the effective management of the company’s strategic,
                                           operational and compliance risks.
                                           This
                                           and independent assurance on the effectiveness of organisation-wide risk and
                                           control systems.
                                           As such, internal auditing becomes one of the cornerstones of good organisational
                                           governance, supporting boards and audit committees to effectively assume their
                                           fiduciary responsibilities towards the company’s stakeholders and the public at
                                           large.




                                           This 8th EU Company Law Directive gives organisations confidence to take advantage
                                           of business opportunities.

                                           Peter den Dekker                                                      Claude Cargou
                                           President of FERMA                                                 President of ECIIA




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                               4
CONTeNT


                                           Objective of this guidance                                       6
                                           Roles and responsibilities with regard
                                           to effective risk management and controls                        7
                                                Roles and responsibilities                                   7
                                                Risk monitoring and assurance functions                      8
                                                Interaction between the various actors in risk management
                                                and internal control                                         9


                                           Agenda for the audit committee                                   10
                                                Effectiveness of risk management                            10
                                                Effectiveness of internal control                           11
                                                Effectiveness of internal audit                             12
                                                Audit committee                                             13



                                           Appendices                                                       14
                                                Risk management                                             14
                                                Internal control                                            15
                                                Internal audit                                              16
                                                External audit                                              16
                                                FERMA and ECIIA                                             18
                                                Contributors to this publication                            18
       greenpepper.be © 2010
       Design:




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                          5
OBJeCTIVe
           of this GUIDANCE
                                                         The objective of this FERMA/ECIIA Guidance is to assist board members,
                                                         particularly members of the audit committee, with the implementation of art. 41 of
                                                         the 8th European Company Law Directive.

                                                         In section 2b, the Directive states that:


                “[…] the audit committee shall, inter alia: monitor
                      the effectiveness of the company’s internal
                 control, internal audit where applicable, and risk
                                       management systems […].”

                                                         While this seems to be a rather simple statement, “what to monitor” and “how
                                                         to monitor” are considerably more complex. In order to shed light on “what” and
                                                         “how” to monitor, this guidance:

                                                         1. Provides an overview of the role and responsibilities regarding effective risk
                                                            management and control assurance for:
                                                                   • The board / audit committee(1);
                                                                   • The chief executive officer (CEO) and senior management(1);
                                                                   • Operational management;
                                                                   • Monitoring and assurance functions.
                                                         2. Clarifies the recommended interaction between internal control, risk management
                                                            and internal audit.
                                                         3. Suggests good practices for board and audit committee oversight regarding:
                                                                   • The risk management process;
                                                                   • The internal control system;
                                                                   • The internal auditing function.

                                                         Notes: • While the 8th Directive assigns this oversight duty to the organisation’s
                                                                  audit committee, it remains ultimately the collegial responsibility of the
                                                                  entire board, and this guidance should be read accordingly.
                                                                • The transposition of the 8th Directive into national codes may necessitate
                                                                  further action beyond what is proposed in this guidance.




       (1)
             for the purpose of this paper:
                         • board is the board of directors in a one tier structure and the supervisory board in a two tier structure.
                         • senior management is the executive committee in a one tier structure and the management board in a two tier structure.

FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                                                            6
rOLeS aND reSPONSIBILITIeS
          with regard to EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONTROLS
                                           Roles and responsibilities
                                           Board

                                           The board provides oversight and direction to senior management by:
                                                  • Setting (in cooperation with senior management) the organisation’s risk
                                                    appetite (= amount of risk an organisation is willing to accept in pursuit
                                                    of value);
                                                  • Being apprised of the most significant risks for the organisation and
                                                    whether senior management is responding appropriately (i.e. in relation
                                                    to the agreed upon risk appetite).

                                           Chief executive officer and senior management

                                           The CEO, with his/her senior management team, has ultimate ownership
                                           responsibility for the organisation’s risk management and control framework.
                                           He/she:
                                                   • Ensures the presence of a positive internal environment and risk culture
                                                     within the organisation (“tone at the top”);
                                                   • Provides leadership and direction to operational management and
                                                     monitors the organisation’s overall risk activities in relation to its risk
                                                     appetite;
                                                   • Where evolving circumstances and emerging risks indicate potential
                                                     misalignment with the risk appetite, the CEO and senior management
                                                     take the necessary measures to reestablish alignment.
                                           Members of senior management have responsibility for managing risks within their
                                           spheres of responsibility related to their units’ objectives by:
                                                   • Converting strategy into operational objectives;
                                                   • Identifying and assessing risks adversely impacting the achievement of
                                                     these objectives;
                                                   • Effecting risk responses consistent with risk tolerances.

                                           Operational management

                                           Senior management assigns responsibilities, including for risk management
                                           procedures, to managers in specific processes, functions or departments (the “risk
                                           owners”). Accordingly, these managers play a more hands-on-role in executing
                                           particular, day-to-day, risk procedures. For instance, they identify, assess risks and
                                           determine risk responses through the development of effective internal controls.
                                           (e.g. developing protocols for new product development).

                                           Note: While internal control policies and procedures are an integral part of an
                                           organisation-wide risk management framework (i.e. they are established to help
                                           ensure risk responses are effectively carried out), some organisations - particularly
                                           in the financial sector - have established a centralised internal control function for
                                           facilitating and coordinating the consistent and adequate design and effective
                                           operation of internal controls established by operational management. However,
                                           this monitoring activity does not take away any of the duties of operational
                                           management for managing risks in its sphere of responsibility.




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              7
Risk monitoring and assurance functions
                                                       Centralised risk management function (risk monitoring)

                                                       While the basis of sound risk management is that every part of an organisation is
                                                       responsible for managing risks in its own area of activity, this should be operated
                                                       in an integrated, holistic approach to ensure alignment with the organisation-wide
                                                       objectives and strategy.
                                                       FERMA/ECIIA, therefore, supports the establishment of a centralised risk
                                                       management function for coordinating and helping effect risk management across
                                                       the organisation. While best practice is to nominate a chief risk officer, smaller
                                                       organisations may assign this responsibility to another senior executive.
                                                       FERMA/ECIIA is further of the opinion that this individual should report through the
                                                       CEO to the board. He/she is responsible for monitoring risk management progress
                                                       and for assisting operational managers in reporting relevant risk information up,
                                                       and across the organisation.
                                                       Specific responsibilities of a chief risk officer (or similar function) include:
                                                                     • Establishing risk management policies, defining roles and responsibilities,
                                                                       and setting goals for implementation;
                                                                     • Providing a framework for risk management in specific processes,
                                                                       functions or departments of the organisation;
                                                                     • Promoting risk management competence throughout the organisation;
                                                                     • Establishing a common risk management language (e.g. regarding risk
                                                                       categories and measures related to likelihood and impact);
                                                                     • Facilitating managers’ development of risk reporting, and monitoring the
                                                                       reporting process;
                                                                     • Reporting to the CEO and the board on progress and recommending
                                                                       action as needed.
                                                       Internal audit function (risk assurance)

                                                       The internal audit function
                                                                     • Provides objective assurance to the board and senior management that
                                                                       risks are understood and managed appropriately, and
                                                                     • Serves as an in-house consultant proposing solutions for improving the
                                                                       organisation’s governance, risk management and control structure.
                                                       As such, internal audit actively contributes to effective corporate governance
                                                       providing however that certain conditions – fostering its independence and
                                                       professionalism – are met.
                                                       FERMA/ECIIA therefore recommends that best practice is to establish and
                                                       maintain an independent, adequately and competently staffed internal auditing
                                                       function, which
                                                                     • Acts in accordance with the International Professional Practices
                                                                       Framework – IPPF, set by the global Institute of Internal Auditors(1)
                                                                     • Reports to a sufficiently high level in the organisation to be able to perform
                                                                       its duties and that it should have an active and effective reporting line to
                                                                       the board (or its audit committee).

       (1)
             www.theiia.org/guidance/standards-and-guidance/interactive-ippf


FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                                                8
Establishing a professional internal audit function should be the rule, not only for
                                           large and medium size institutions but also for smaller entities. This is the more
                                           so because the latter may not be able to deploy a full organisational structure to
                                           ensure the effectiveness of its governance and risk management processes. In
                                           any case, for small organisations that have not established an “in-house” internal
                                           audit function, it should be a requirement to disclose to their stakeholders on an
                                           annual basis that they have considered how the necessary assurance on the
                                           effectiveness of the organisation’s governance, risk management and control
                                           structure is to be obtained (i.e. through internal audit).


                                           Interaction between the various actors in risk
                                           management and internal control
                                           As mentioned before, the board and the CEO are respectively responsible for
                                           providing oversight and monitoring risk management strategies and processes. To
                                           effectively assume these duties, they seek assurance from various sources within
                                           the organisation.
                                           This model, which is rapidly gaining universal recognition, can be illustrated as
                                           follows:

                                           Three Lines of Defence model


                                                                                                    Board / audit Comittee

                                                                   Senior management

                                                 1st Line of Defence               2nd Line of Defence                3rd Line of Defence


                                                                                     Risk Management


                                                                                                                                            External Audit
                                                     Operational
                                                                                                                             Internal




                                                     Management
                                                                                                                              Audit




                                                                                       Compliance
                                                   Internal Controls

                                                                                         Others




                                           As a first line of defence

                                           Operational management has ownership, responsibility and accountability for
                                           assessing, controlling and mitigating risks together with maintaining effective
                                           internal controls.

                                           as a second line of defence

                                           The risk management function facilitates and monitors the implementation of
                                           effective risk management practices by operational management and assists the
                                           risk owners in defining the target risk exposure and reporting adequate risk related
                                           information through the organisation.
                                           In addition to the centralised risk management function, and as part of this second
                                           line of defence, some organisations have established a separate compliance
                                           function to monitor compliance risks, i.e. risks of non-conformity with applicable
                                           laws and regulations as well as internal regulations (including fraud). In this
                                           capacity, the compliance function reports directly to senior management.
                                           Other specific monitoring functions may include health & safety, supply chain,
                                           environmental and quality functions.

FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                                       9
as a third line of defence

                                           The internal audit function will, through a risk based approach, provide assurance
                                           to the organsation’s board and senior management, on how effectively the
                                           organisation assesses and manages its risks, including the manner in which the
                                           first and second lines of defence operate. This assurance task covers all elements
                                           of an organisation’s risk management framework, i.e. risk identification, risk
                                           assessment and response to communication of risk related information (throughout
                                           the organisation and to senior management and the board).

                                           General remark

                                           External auditing can be considered as a fourth line of defence, providing assurance
                                           to the organisation’s shareholders, board and senior management regarding the
                                           true and fair view of the organisation’s financial statements. However, given the
                                           specific scope and objectives of their mission, the risk information gathered by
                                           external auditors is limited to financial reporting risks only and does not include
                                           the way senior management and the board are managing/monitoring (strategic/
                                           operational/ compliance) enterprise-wide risks, and for which the risk management
                                           and internal audit functions respectively provide monitoring and assurance.




       aGeNDa
          for the AUDIT COMMITTEE

                                           Effectiveness of risk management
                                           Best practices

                                           FERMA/ECIIA considers that risk management, internal control and audit functions
                                           provide reliable information channels for the board of directors to monitor the
                                           effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems.
                                           With regard to risk management, the board and/or the audit committee needs to
                                           receive, at least yearly, a review of the organisation’s major risks. It needs to know
                                           how the business model is impacted by major risks, and how value generation
                                           could be enhanced by opportunities or reduced by vulnerabilities. If necessary,
                                           it needs also to have appropriate information about specific risks according to
                                           evolution of strategy, external environment or particular risks inherent to the activity
                                           of the company.
                                           While the above information is generally reviewed by the full board, the audit
                                           committee needs to receive information on risk governance (steering committees,
                                           definition of acceptable and accepted limits, benchmarks, controls and audit)
                                           to assess the effectiveness of the risk management systems. If there is a “risk
                                           committee” included in the board sub-committees, then some aspects of risk
                                           monitoring, control or mitigation will be delegated to this committee. Last, internal
                                           audit reports to the audit committee on the maturity, dissemination and effectiveness
                                           of the risk management systems.




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              10
Key points related to risk management

                                                   • The company has defined its risk strategy and appetite. The CEO has
                                                     designated a chief risk officer or equivalent. Risk owners have been
                                                     designated for each major risk;

                                                   • Risk owners have fixed meaningful and measurable objectives and
                                                     controls, recognised throughout the organisation; risk ownership is part
                                                     of the delegation of authority and the remuneration mechanisms (bonus
                                                     system) should include appraisal of risk taking;

                                                   • A centralised risk management function is in charge of the implementation
                                                     of the risk strategy. It provides the company with a formal risk management
                                                     framework, and dedicated training programmes to improve the risk
                                                     management culture and promote a common language throughout the
                                                     organisation;

                                                   • Senior management periodically receives reports on major risks’
                                                     evolution and on the implementation of mitigation plans. Management
                                                     also communicates a risk dashboard, with key risk indicators, at least
                                                     once a year to the audit committee;

                                                   • Critical risks and emergent risks are escalated to the appropriate
                                                     management level as soon as they are identified.

                                           Effectiveness of internal control
                                           Best practices

                                           In respect of internal control, the board and the audit committee need to receive
                                           assurance that adequate and effective controls exist to monitor and manage the
                                           critical risks, and that a process exists to report adequately on this monitoring.
                                           Senior management, together with the independent functions of internal and
                                           external audit, provides this assurance to the audit committee regarding the
                                           effectiveness and efficiency of internal control.

                                           Key points related to internal control

                                                   • The CEO and senior management are in charge of internal control.
                                                     Through delegation of authority all operational managers “inherit” a
                                                     portion of that responsibility. It is important for the audit committee to know
                                                     whether this principle of responsibility has been openly communicated
                                                     throughout the organisation, and whether operational management
                                                     has been given the proper tools (budget, resources) to assume this
                                                     responsibility and accountability.
                                                   • The organisation’s culture, code of conduct, human resources policies
                                                     and performance reward systems are critical components of the
                                                     internal control system. It is important for the audit committee to assess
                                                     whether these components are supportive of the organisation’s strategic
                                                     objectives.
                                                   • The culture of the organisation should encourage individuals to report
                                                     suspected breaches of law or regulations or other improprieties.
                                                     Critical for this system to work is the protection of the people who
                                                     “blow the whistle”. The audit committee should be aware of how the
                                                     whistleblowing mechanism works and what the organisation is doing
                                                     with the complaints.

FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              11
• Any internal control system can only be adequate if properly monitored.
                                                     The audit committee should monitor the processes that are in place
                                                     to review the adequacy of financial and other key controls, including
                                                     management reviews. The audit committee should also be informed
                                                     about serious control deficiencies. Through delegation of authority,
                                                     control becomes everyone’s responsibility within the organisation. Some
                                                     organisations have implemented a process of periodic control self-
                                                     assessments, whereby operational entities within the organisation reflect
                                                     on the risks inherent to their processes and on the quality of the controls
                                                     that are in place. The aggregated results of these workshops can also
                                                     assist the audit committee in monitoring the organisation’s internal
                                                     control system.


                                           Effectiveness of internal audit
                                           Best practices

                                           In line with international standards, internal auditors document relevant information
                                           to support the conclusions and management response to their audits. The
                                           audit committee should assure that its agenda includes periodic review of the
                                           following:
                                                    • The internal audit charter and independence of the internal audit
                                                      function;
                                                    • Internal audit plans and allocated resources, including audit risk
                                                      assessment criteria;
                                                    • Professional competence of the internal audit function: providing advice
                                                      to the CEO regarding performance evaluation, compensation changes,
                                                      hiring, dismissal of the head of internal audit;
                                                    • Quality assessment reviews in accordance with the International
                                                      Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing including
                                                      periodic outside assessments.
                                           In line with its standards, the internal audit function reports to the audit committee
                                           and to the CEO on the effectiveness of the risk management and control systems,
                                           providing advice for continuous improvement by management. Internal audit will
                                           identify potential conflicts of interests at the various levels of operations based on
                                           a global oversight and insight as to the consistency between strategic objectives
                                           and operations, with diagnostics as to any misalignments.

                                           Key points related to internal audit

                                                   • The independence of internal audit should be formalised in the internal
                                                     audit charter, signed by the CEO and the chairman of the audit committee.
                                                     But, even more important for the audit committee is to check whether this
                                                     independence also exists in practice. Does internal audit have true direct
                                                     and unlimited access to the audit committee and the board? Does internal
                                                     audit report independently on business issues, without interference from
                                                     senior management? Does objective reporting influence future career
                                                     opportunities of internal auditors?
                                                   • Internal audit has limited resources. It is therefore essential to allocate
                                                     these resources to the most critical areas. Does the audit committee
                                                     challenge the internal audit plan and budget when presented?
                                                     How does internal audit assess the organisation’s risks, the risk
                                                     management process implementation and risk management maturity?

FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              12
Is there a link to the organisation’s own risk mapping? Is internal audit
                                                      focusing on what is easy to audit rather than what needs to be audited?
                                                      When approving the audit plan, does the audit committee know what is
                                                      not going to be audited?
                                                    • It is important to monitor whether the organisation is really doing
                                                      something with the assessments made by internal audit. The speed with
                                                      which management implements internal audit’s recommendations is an
                                                      indication of the value which it places on internal audit. More controls are
                                                      not always the best option; better controls are. When management does
                                                      not act properly or promptly on audit findings, the audit committee can
                                                      invite managers to its meeting to understand why not. The organisation
                                                      defence mechanism includes three lines of defence. It is therefore
                                                      critical that the first and second lines of defence are properly assessed
                                                      by internal audit, without duplicating the work of these other lines.
                                                    • In some organisations senior management or the board is expected to
                                                      issue and publish an annual statement on internal control or an assurance
                                                      declaration. It is important for the audit committee to know whether
                                                      internal audit has had an independent review of this management
                                                      reporting process or has been part of it.


                                           Audit committee
                                           Best practices

                                           Risk management and internal control feature on the agenda of the audit committee.
                                           The audit committee reports to the board of directors on the effectiveness of
                                           internal control and risk management systems based on information it acquires
                                           directly or with the assistance of the audit functions.
                                           Good audit committee practices include a review of all lines of defence in an organisation,
                                           including their interaction.

                                           Key points related to the performance of the audit committee

                                                    • Monitoring risk management, internal control and internal audit requires a
                                                      considerable time commitment from the audit committee. Meetings alone
                                                      may not be sufficient for comprehensive understanding and assurance.
                                                      The audit committee needs to know how much effort, resources and
                                                      budget are needed to perform as expected.
                                                    • To fulfil its responsibilities, the audit committee spends time assessing
                                                      information provided by senior management, reviews major risks and
                                                      critical processes each year, challenges senior management objectives
                                                      about these items and benchmarks company practices.
                                                    • The work of the audit committee can only be valuable if sufficient time
                                                      is allotted on the board agenda for the audit committee to present the
                                                      results of its work. The audit committee should also feel that the board is
                                                      taking appropriate action on its report.
                                                    • Leading audit committees have therefore their own performance and
                                                      effectiveness assessed on an annual basis.




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                               13
aPPeNDICeS


                                           Risk management
                                           Introduction to enterprise risk management

                                           Risk taking is inherent in exploiting business opportunities. However, it was often
                                           not clearly expressed in decision processes. Enterprise risk management (ERM) in
                                           business aims to manage risks to an acceptable level (that has been determined by
                                           the board of directors and the senior management). This is linked to developing the
                                           company, creating and sustaining value, and targeting its objectives successfully.
                                           It includes the methods and processes used by organisations to manage risks and
                                           seize opportunities related to the achievement of their objectives. ERM provides
                                           a framework for risk management, which typically involves identifying particular
                                           events or circumstances relevant to the organisation’s objectives (risks and
                                           opportunities), assessing them in terms of likelihood and magnitude of impact,
                                           determining a response strategy and monitoring progress. By identifying and
                                           proactively addressing risks and opportunities, business enterprises protect and
                                           create value for their stakeholders, including owners, employees, customers,
                                           regulators and society overall. It includes the external (regulatory, reputation, etc.),
                                           strategic (inherent to business model), financial, compliance and operational risks.
                                           Due to the globalisation of business, the interdependency between different risks
                                           has become an important element to be treated in the risk management process.
                                           Being a key part of the governance structure of an organisation, ERM helps
                                           preserve value and augments decision-making by setting acceptable levels of
                                           risk appetite as well as embedding risk management in businesses planning and
                                           management processes. When embedded, it becomes part of the organisation’s
                                           culture.

                                           Global risk management standards

                                           Most standards are broad guidelines that are applicable to all kind of organisations,
                                           but must be adapted to the organisation’s characteristics, activities and culture.
                                           Current global standards include ISO 31000, COSO ERM and the FERMA Standard
                                           adopted from the UK.

                                           responsibility for risk management and reporting lines

                                           In most organisations, there are risk management professionals at corporate and
                                           business level who are responsible for dissemination of the risk culture, general
                                           reporting, process and methodology. This should be regarded as good practice to
                                           improve risk management. However managing the business risks remains the duty
                                           of management along with its responsibility to meet business plans and targets.
                                           Risk managers report to senior management as a staff function using routine
                                           risk management reporting processes. They may be part of a central function
                                           or embedded in the divisional structures. The risk management function reports
                                           either to a risk committee or to the audit committee.




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              14
Internal control
                                           Introduction to internal control

                                           Internal control has existed since ancient times. In Hellenistic Egypt there was a
                                           dual administration, with one set of bureaucrats charged with collecting taxes and
                                           another with supervising them.
                                           Internal control is defined as a process effected by an organisation’s structure,
                                           work and authority flows, people and management information systems, designed
                                           to help the organisation accomplish specific goals or objectives while minimising
                                           the likelihood that unwanted events will occur. It helps direct, monitor and measure
                                           the organisation’s resources. It plays an important role in preventing and detecting
                                           fraud, protecting the organisation’s resources and reducing adverse effects of
                                           liabilities.

                                           Global internal control models

                                           The COSO Internal Control-Integrated Framework is the most widely used
                                           framework. It defines internal control as a process, effected by an organisation’s
                                           board of directors, management and other personnel, designed to provide
                                           reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following
                                           three categories: (a) Effectiveness and efficiency of operations; (b) Reliability of
                                           financial reporting and (c) Compliance with laws and regulations.

                                           responsibility for internal control and reporting lines

                                           Ultimately, the responsibility for internal control lies with the board of directors.
                                           Through delegation of authority, operational management will be responsible for
                                           the development and maintenance of controls in its area of responsibility. For
                                           example, internal audit may be required by its organisation to provide an overall
                                           “control opinion” which concludes with an assessment/risk grading for the areas
                                           reviewed.

                                           Many codes on corporate governance require senior management or the board of
                                           directors to report on the internal control system. This report should include details
                                           of non-compliance with rules and regulations, material weaknesses in internal
                                           control, financial adjustments and their materiality to the income statement of the
                                           organisation, and other risks and/or exposures that require changes to internal
                                           control.




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              15
Internal audit
                                           Introduction to internal audit

                                           The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) defines internal audit as “an independent,
                                           objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve
                                           an organisation’s operations. It helps an organisation accomplish its objectives
                                           by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the
                                           effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes”.
                                           Various national institutes of the internal audit profession around the globe
                                           cooperate and subscribe to this definition and are following the standards that are
                                           commonly developed.

                                           Global internal audit standards

                                           With its International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing,
                                           the IIA provides for a worldwide, common understanding of the internal audit
                                           profession, including essential requirements of how to meet the expectations and
                                           responsibilities of the internal audit function and the internal auditors.
                                           The Standards are principles-based, mandatory requirements consisting of
                                           statements of basic requirements for the professional practice of internal auditing
                                           and for evaluating the effectiveness of performance. These are internationally
                                           applicable at organisational and individual levels, and include interpretations that
                                           clarify terms or concepts stated in the Standards.

                                           responsibility for internal audit and reporting lines

                                           The head of internal audit reports periodically to senior management and to the
                                           board or the audit committee on the internal audit activity’s purpose, authority,
                                           responsibility and performance relative to its plan. The main reporting line is to the
                                           audit committee. The audit committee approves the annual audit plan, as well as
                                           reviewing the assessment of internal control and risk management systems.


                                           External audit
                                           The role of the external audit

                                           The primary role of the external audit is to express an opinion on whether an
                                           organisation’s financial statements are free of material misstatements. For a
                                           thorough assessment of the financial statements, the independence of the
                                           external auditors is crucial. Therefore, any relationship between external auditors
                                           and the organisation, other than retention for the audit itself, must be disclosed in
                                           the external auditor’s report.
                                           In order to provide a high level of assurance that the financial statements follow the
                                           appropriate basis of accounting, e.g. International Financial Reporting Standards
                                           (IFRS) or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), external auditors
                                           gather necessary evidence to issue the audit report.




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              16
assessment of risk management and internal control

                                           The external auditor’s understanding of the company’s risk management and
                                           internal control systems provides a basis both to plan the audit and assess control
                                           risk. Control risk is defined as the risk that material misstatements will not be
                                           prevented or detected by the client’s internal control and is thus a key variable for
                                           external auditors to determine whether the client’s internal control is effective. The
                                           external auditor’s knowledge should, for example, include the relevant risks and
                                           design of controls to manage these risks, how they are defined and whether they
                                           have been placed in operation or not.

                                           Cooperation with internal audit

                                           Although external audit and internal audit have some complementary relationships,
                                           coordination of their activities is essential. Internal audit’s evaluations of the
                                           internal control systems provide significant information for the external auditor’s
                                           assessment of control/risk affecting the financial statements.
                                           The ideal situation is when the external and internal auditors meet periodically to
                                           discuss their scope of work, methodology and audit coverage.




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              17
FERMA: www.ferma.eu
                                           The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) brings
                                           together 20 national risk management associations of 18 countries. It represents a
                                           wide range of business sectors from manufacturing to financial services, charities,
                                           health organisations and local government bodies. FERMA’s objectives are to
                                           support its members by coordinating, enhancing awareness and effective use
                                           of risk management, insurance and risk financing in Europe. FERMA organises
                                           a biennial forum and a biennial benchmarking survey on the status of risk
                                           management in Europe. The results of this survey are presented at a seminar for
                                           all members.

                                           ECIIA: www.eciia.eu
                                           The European Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditing (ECIIA) is the
                                           professional representative body of 33 national Institutes of Internal Audit in the
                                           wider European area. The ECIIA’s objective is to support the position of internal
                                           audit professionals in the European Union and in the ECIIA’s member countries
                                           and to promote the application of the global Institute of Internal Auditors’ Standards
                                           and Code of Ethics to all internal audit professionals in the public and the private
                                           sector. The ECIIA undertakes research on topics related to internal audit, business
                                           control, risk management and corporate governance. It publishes position papers,
                                           briefing reports and a quarterly newsletter.

                                           Contributors to this publication
                                           michel DeNNerY: FERMA Board Member; Risk Management Director - GDF SUEZ
                                           marie Gemma DeQUae: FERMA Board Member; Risk Manager - Partena
                                           Group; Director of Risk Management Research Platform - Vlerick Leuven Gent
                                           Management School
                                           Jean-Pierre GarITTe: Former President ECIIA; former Chairman of the Board of
                                           the global Institute of Internal Auditors
                                           roland De meULDer: Adviser to the managing board of ECIIA; former Chairman
                                           of the Internal Auditing Standards Board
                                           Chantal PIerre: Former Secretary ECIIA; former Secretary of the Board of the
                                           global Institute of Internal Auditors
                                           michèle F. rÜDISSer: Senior Lecturer in Organisational Control and Governance -
                                           University of St. Gallen
                                           T. Flemming rUUD: Professor of Business Administration, in particular internal
                                           control / internal audit - University of St. Gallen
                                           Paul TaYLOr: FERMA Board Member; Director of Risk Assurance - Morgan
                                           Crucible




FERMA / ECIIA
Guidance for boards and audit committees                              18
Ferma
 Federation of European Risk Management Associations
Avenue Louis Gribaumont, 1 /B4, 1150 Brussels, Belgium

                 Tel: +32 2 761 94 31
                 Fax: +32 2 771 87 20
                 Email: info@ferma.eu

                       eCIIa
European Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditing
           Koningsstraat 109 -111 bus 5
                BE - 1000 Brussels
                      Belgium

                 Tel: +32 2 217 33 20
                 Fax: +32 2 217 33 20
                Email: office@eciia.org

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Guidance on the 8th EU Company Law Directive

  • 1. Guidance on the 8th EU Company Law Directive article 41
  • 2. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees
  • 3. “Monitoring the effectiveness of internal control, internal audit and risk management systems” Guidance for boards and audit committees 8th European Company Law Directive on Statutory Audit DIRECTIVE 2006/43/EC – Art. 41-2b 21 September 2010 FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 3
  • 4. Peter den Dekker, President of Ferma Running a business has always been a matter of risk taking. The recent crisis has reinforced the necessity of managing risk, and has enhanced public expectations for economic actors to be more proactive in risk control. What’s new with the 8th EU Company Law Directive is that there is a clear responsibility given to boards of directors and to their audit committees. Senior management is expected to be !A good risk management system is like management systems on a racing car - involved in risk management and risk taking. Directors have to give direction depending on the risk appetite of shareholders. they help it to go faster, further and more safely. Claude Cargou, President of eCIIa The duty assigned to the board and its audit committee by Art 41 of the 8th Directive to “monitor the effectiveness of risk management and control systems” simply translates the expectations from participants in capital markets to receive transparent and reliable information on significant current and evolving risks for the organisation and on the way these risks are managed. This fiduciary obligation for boards and audit committees is no ! is where boards and audit committees can look to internal auditing for objective longer limited to financial reporting risks, as it was too often the case in the past. Today, they must also oversee the effective management of the company’s strategic, operational and compliance risks. This and independent assurance on the effectiveness of organisation-wide risk and control systems. As such, internal auditing becomes one of the cornerstones of good organisational governance, supporting boards and audit committees to effectively assume their fiduciary responsibilities towards the company’s stakeholders and the public at large. This 8th EU Company Law Directive gives organisations confidence to take advantage of business opportunities. Peter den Dekker Claude Cargou President of FERMA President of ECIIA FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 4
  • 5. CONTeNT Objective of this guidance 6 Roles and responsibilities with regard to effective risk management and controls 7 Roles and responsibilities 7 Risk monitoring and assurance functions 8 Interaction between the various actors in risk management and internal control 9 Agenda for the audit committee 10 Effectiveness of risk management 10 Effectiveness of internal control 11 Effectiveness of internal audit 12 Audit committee 13 Appendices 14 Risk management 14 Internal control 15 Internal audit 16 External audit 16 FERMA and ECIIA 18 Contributors to this publication 18 greenpepper.be © 2010 Design: FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 5
  • 6. OBJeCTIVe of this GUIDANCE The objective of this FERMA/ECIIA Guidance is to assist board members, particularly members of the audit committee, with the implementation of art. 41 of the 8th European Company Law Directive. In section 2b, the Directive states that: “[…] the audit committee shall, inter alia: monitor the effectiveness of the company’s internal control, internal audit where applicable, and risk management systems […].” While this seems to be a rather simple statement, “what to monitor” and “how to monitor” are considerably more complex. In order to shed light on “what” and “how” to monitor, this guidance: 1. Provides an overview of the role and responsibilities regarding effective risk management and control assurance for: • The board / audit committee(1); • The chief executive officer (CEO) and senior management(1); • Operational management; • Monitoring and assurance functions. 2. Clarifies the recommended interaction between internal control, risk management and internal audit. 3. Suggests good practices for board and audit committee oversight regarding: • The risk management process; • The internal control system; • The internal auditing function. Notes: • While the 8th Directive assigns this oversight duty to the organisation’s audit committee, it remains ultimately the collegial responsibility of the entire board, and this guidance should be read accordingly. • The transposition of the 8th Directive into national codes may necessitate further action beyond what is proposed in this guidance. (1) for the purpose of this paper: • board is the board of directors in a one tier structure and the supervisory board in a two tier structure. • senior management is the executive committee in a one tier structure and the management board in a two tier structure. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 6
  • 7. rOLeS aND reSPONSIBILITIeS with regard to EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONTROLS Roles and responsibilities Board The board provides oversight and direction to senior management by: • Setting (in cooperation with senior management) the organisation’s risk appetite (= amount of risk an organisation is willing to accept in pursuit of value); • Being apprised of the most significant risks for the organisation and whether senior management is responding appropriately (i.e. in relation to the agreed upon risk appetite). Chief executive officer and senior management The CEO, with his/her senior management team, has ultimate ownership responsibility for the organisation’s risk management and control framework. He/she: • Ensures the presence of a positive internal environment and risk culture within the organisation (“tone at the top”); • Provides leadership and direction to operational management and monitors the organisation’s overall risk activities in relation to its risk appetite; • Where evolving circumstances and emerging risks indicate potential misalignment with the risk appetite, the CEO and senior management take the necessary measures to reestablish alignment. Members of senior management have responsibility for managing risks within their spheres of responsibility related to their units’ objectives by: • Converting strategy into operational objectives; • Identifying and assessing risks adversely impacting the achievement of these objectives; • Effecting risk responses consistent with risk tolerances. Operational management Senior management assigns responsibilities, including for risk management procedures, to managers in specific processes, functions or departments (the “risk owners”). Accordingly, these managers play a more hands-on-role in executing particular, day-to-day, risk procedures. For instance, they identify, assess risks and determine risk responses through the development of effective internal controls. (e.g. developing protocols for new product development). Note: While internal control policies and procedures are an integral part of an organisation-wide risk management framework (i.e. they are established to help ensure risk responses are effectively carried out), some organisations - particularly in the financial sector - have established a centralised internal control function for facilitating and coordinating the consistent and adequate design and effective operation of internal controls established by operational management. However, this monitoring activity does not take away any of the duties of operational management for managing risks in its sphere of responsibility. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 7
  • 8. Risk monitoring and assurance functions Centralised risk management function (risk monitoring) While the basis of sound risk management is that every part of an organisation is responsible for managing risks in its own area of activity, this should be operated in an integrated, holistic approach to ensure alignment with the organisation-wide objectives and strategy. FERMA/ECIIA, therefore, supports the establishment of a centralised risk management function for coordinating and helping effect risk management across the organisation. While best practice is to nominate a chief risk officer, smaller organisations may assign this responsibility to another senior executive. FERMA/ECIIA is further of the opinion that this individual should report through the CEO to the board. He/she is responsible for monitoring risk management progress and for assisting operational managers in reporting relevant risk information up, and across the organisation. Specific responsibilities of a chief risk officer (or similar function) include: • Establishing risk management policies, defining roles and responsibilities, and setting goals for implementation; • Providing a framework for risk management in specific processes, functions or departments of the organisation; • Promoting risk management competence throughout the organisation; • Establishing a common risk management language (e.g. regarding risk categories and measures related to likelihood and impact); • Facilitating managers’ development of risk reporting, and monitoring the reporting process; • Reporting to the CEO and the board on progress and recommending action as needed. Internal audit function (risk assurance) The internal audit function • Provides objective assurance to the board and senior management that risks are understood and managed appropriately, and • Serves as an in-house consultant proposing solutions for improving the organisation’s governance, risk management and control structure. As such, internal audit actively contributes to effective corporate governance providing however that certain conditions – fostering its independence and professionalism – are met. FERMA/ECIIA therefore recommends that best practice is to establish and maintain an independent, adequately and competently staffed internal auditing function, which • Acts in accordance with the International Professional Practices Framework – IPPF, set by the global Institute of Internal Auditors(1) • Reports to a sufficiently high level in the organisation to be able to perform its duties and that it should have an active and effective reporting line to the board (or its audit committee). (1) www.theiia.org/guidance/standards-and-guidance/interactive-ippf FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 8
  • 9. Establishing a professional internal audit function should be the rule, not only for large and medium size institutions but also for smaller entities. This is the more so because the latter may not be able to deploy a full organisational structure to ensure the effectiveness of its governance and risk management processes. In any case, for small organisations that have not established an “in-house” internal audit function, it should be a requirement to disclose to their stakeholders on an annual basis that they have considered how the necessary assurance on the effectiveness of the organisation’s governance, risk management and control structure is to be obtained (i.e. through internal audit). Interaction between the various actors in risk management and internal control As mentioned before, the board and the CEO are respectively responsible for providing oversight and monitoring risk management strategies and processes. To effectively assume these duties, they seek assurance from various sources within the organisation. This model, which is rapidly gaining universal recognition, can be illustrated as follows: Three Lines of Defence model Board / audit Comittee Senior management 1st Line of Defence 2nd Line of Defence 3rd Line of Defence Risk Management External Audit Operational Internal Management Audit Compliance Internal Controls Others As a first line of defence Operational management has ownership, responsibility and accountability for assessing, controlling and mitigating risks together with maintaining effective internal controls. as a second line of defence The risk management function facilitates and monitors the implementation of effective risk management practices by operational management and assists the risk owners in defining the target risk exposure and reporting adequate risk related information through the organisation. In addition to the centralised risk management function, and as part of this second line of defence, some organisations have established a separate compliance function to monitor compliance risks, i.e. risks of non-conformity with applicable laws and regulations as well as internal regulations (including fraud). In this capacity, the compliance function reports directly to senior management. Other specific monitoring functions may include health & safety, supply chain, environmental and quality functions. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 9
  • 10. as a third line of defence The internal audit function will, through a risk based approach, provide assurance to the organsation’s board and senior management, on how effectively the organisation assesses and manages its risks, including the manner in which the first and second lines of defence operate. This assurance task covers all elements of an organisation’s risk management framework, i.e. risk identification, risk assessment and response to communication of risk related information (throughout the organisation and to senior management and the board). General remark External auditing can be considered as a fourth line of defence, providing assurance to the organisation’s shareholders, board and senior management regarding the true and fair view of the organisation’s financial statements. However, given the specific scope and objectives of their mission, the risk information gathered by external auditors is limited to financial reporting risks only and does not include the way senior management and the board are managing/monitoring (strategic/ operational/ compliance) enterprise-wide risks, and for which the risk management and internal audit functions respectively provide monitoring and assurance. aGeNDa for the AUDIT COMMITTEE Effectiveness of risk management Best practices FERMA/ECIIA considers that risk management, internal control and audit functions provide reliable information channels for the board of directors to monitor the effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems. With regard to risk management, the board and/or the audit committee needs to receive, at least yearly, a review of the organisation’s major risks. It needs to know how the business model is impacted by major risks, and how value generation could be enhanced by opportunities or reduced by vulnerabilities. If necessary, it needs also to have appropriate information about specific risks according to evolution of strategy, external environment or particular risks inherent to the activity of the company. While the above information is generally reviewed by the full board, the audit committee needs to receive information on risk governance (steering committees, definition of acceptable and accepted limits, benchmarks, controls and audit) to assess the effectiveness of the risk management systems. If there is a “risk committee” included in the board sub-committees, then some aspects of risk monitoring, control or mitigation will be delegated to this committee. Last, internal audit reports to the audit committee on the maturity, dissemination and effectiveness of the risk management systems. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 10
  • 11. Key points related to risk management • The company has defined its risk strategy and appetite. The CEO has designated a chief risk officer or equivalent. Risk owners have been designated for each major risk; • Risk owners have fixed meaningful and measurable objectives and controls, recognised throughout the organisation; risk ownership is part of the delegation of authority and the remuneration mechanisms (bonus system) should include appraisal of risk taking; • A centralised risk management function is in charge of the implementation of the risk strategy. It provides the company with a formal risk management framework, and dedicated training programmes to improve the risk management culture and promote a common language throughout the organisation; • Senior management periodically receives reports on major risks’ evolution and on the implementation of mitigation plans. Management also communicates a risk dashboard, with key risk indicators, at least once a year to the audit committee; • Critical risks and emergent risks are escalated to the appropriate management level as soon as they are identified. Effectiveness of internal control Best practices In respect of internal control, the board and the audit committee need to receive assurance that adequate and effective controls exist to monitor and manage the critical risks, and that a process exists to report adequately on this monitoring. Senior management, together with the independent functions of internal and external audit, provides this assurance to the audit committee regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of internal control. Key points related to internal control • The CEO and senior management are in charge of internal control. Through delegation of authority all operational managers “inherit” a portion of that responsibility. It is important for the audit committee to know whether this principle of responsibility has been openly communicated throughout the organisation, and whether operational management has been given the proper tools (budget, resources) to assume this responsibility and accountability. • The organisation’s culture, code of conduct, human resources policies and performance reward systems are critical components of the internal control system. It is important for the audit committee to assess whether these components are supportive of the organisation’s strategic objectives. • The culture of the organisation should encourage individuals to report suspected breaches of law or regulations or other improprieties. Critical for this system to work is the protection of the people who “blow the whistle”. The audit committee should be aware of how the whistleblowing mechanism works and what the organisation is doing with the complaints. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 11
  • 12. • Any internal control system can only be adequate if properly monitored. The audit committee should monitor the processes that are in place to review the adequacy of financial and other key controls, including management reviews. The audit committee should also be informed about serious control deficiencies. Through delegation of authority, control becomes everyone’s responsibility within the organisation. Some organisations have implemented a process of periodic control self- assessments, whereby operational entities within the organisation reflect on the risks inherent to their processes and on the quality of the controls that are in place. The aggregated results of these workshops can also assist the audit committee in monitoring the organisation’s internal control system. Effectiveness of internal audit Best practices In line with international standards, internal auditors document relevant information to support the conclusions and management response to their audits. The audit committee should assure that its agenda includes periodic review of the following: • The internal audit charter and independence of the internal audit function; • Internal audit plans and allocated resources, including audit risk assessment criteria; • Professional competence of the internal audit function: providing advice to the CEO regarding performance evaluation, compensation changes, hiring, dismissal of the head of internal audit; • Quality assessment reviews in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing including periodic outside assessments. In line with its standards, the internal audit function reports to the audit committee and to the CEO on the effectiveness of the risk management and control systems, providing advice for continuous improvement by management. Internal audit will identify potential conflicts of interests at the various levels of operations based on a global oversight and insight as to the consistency between strategic objectives and operations, with diagnostics as to any misalignments. Key points related to internal audit • The independence of internal audit should be formalised in the internal audit charter, signed by the CEO and the chairman of the audit committee. But, even more important for the audit committee is to check whether this independence also exists in practice. Does internal audit have true direct and unlimited access to the audit committee and the board? Does internal audit report independently on business issues, without interference from senior management? Does objective reporting influence future career opportunities of internal auditors? • Internal audit has limited resources. It is therefore essential to allocate these resources to the most critical areas. Does the audit committee challenge the internal audit plan and budget when presented? How does internal audit assess the organisation’s risks, the risk management process implementation and risk management maturity? FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 12
  • 13. Is there a link to the organisation’s own risk mapping? Is internal audit focusing on what is easy to audit rather than what needs to be audited? When approving the audit plan, does the audit committee know what is not going to be audited? • It is important to monitor whether the organisation is really doing something with the assessments made by internal audit. The speed with which management implements internal audit’s recommendations is an indication of the value which it places on internal audit. More controls are not always the best option; better controls are. When management does not act properly or promptly on audit findings, the audit committee can invite managers to its meeting to understand why not. The organisation defence mechanism includes three lines of defence. It is therefore critical that the first and second lines of defence are properly assessed by internal audit, without duplicating the work of these other lines. • In some organisations senior management or the board is expected to issue and publish an annual statement on internal control or an assurance declaration. It is important for the audit committee to know whether internal audit has had an independent review of this management reporting process or has been part of it. Audit committee Best practices Risk management and internal control feature on the agenda of the audit committee. The audit committee reports to the board of directors on the effectiveness of internal control and risk management systems based on information it acquires directly or with the assistance of the audit functions. Good audit committee practices include a review of all lines of defence in an organisation, including their interaction. Key points related to the performance of the audit committee • Monitoring risk management, internal control and internal audit requires a considerable time commitment from the audit committee. Meetings alone may not be sufficient for comprehensive understanding and assurance. The audit committee needs to know how much effort, resources and budget are needed to perform as expected. • To fulfil its responsibilities, the audit committee spends time assessing information provided by senior management, reviews major risks and critical processes each year, challenges senior management objectives about these items and benchmarks company practices. • The work of the audit committee can only be valuable if sufficient time is allotted on the board agenda for the audit committee to present the results of its work. The audit committee should also feel that the board is taking appropriate action on its report. • Leading audit committees have therefore their own performance and effectiveness assessed on an annual basis. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 13
  • 14. aPPeNDICeS Risk management Introduction to enterprise risk management Risk taking is inherent in exploiting business opportunities. However, it was often not clearly expressed in decision processes. Enterprise risk management (ERM) in business aims to manage risks to an acceptable level (that has been determined by the board of directors and the senior management). This is linked to developing the company, creating and sustaining value, and targeting its objectives successfully. It includes the methods and processes used by organisations to manage risks and seize opportunities related to the achievement of their objectives. ERM provides a framework for risk management, which typically involves identifying particular events or circumstances relevant to the organisation’s objectives (risks and opportunities), assessing them in terms of likelihood and magnitude of impact, determining a response strategy and monitoring progress. By identifying and proactively addressing risks and opportunities, business enterprises protect and create value for their stakeholders, including owners, employees, customers, regulators and society overall. It includes the external (regulatory, reputation, etc.), strategic (inherent to business model), financial, compliance and operational risks. Due to the globalisation of business, the interdependency between different risks has become an important element to be treated in the risk management process. Being a key part of the governance structure of an organisation, ERM helps preserve value and augments decision-making by setting acceptable levels of risk appetite as well as embedding risk management in businesses planning and management processes. When embedded, it becomes part of the organisation’s culture. Global risk management standards Most standards are broad guidelines that are applicable to all kind of organisations, but must be adapted to the organisation’s characteristics, activities and culture. Current global standards include ISO 31000, COSO ERM and the FERMA Standard adopted from the UK. responsibility for risk management and reporting lines In most organisations, there are risk management professionals at corporate and business level who are responsible for dissemination of the risk culture, general reporting, process and methodology. This should be regarded as good practice to improve risk management. However managing the business risks remains the duty of management along with its responsibility to meet business plans and targets. Risk managers report to senior management as a staff function using routine risk management reporting processes. They may be part of a central function or embedded in the divisional structures. The risk management function reports either to a risk committee or to the audit committee. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 14
  • 15. Internal control Introduction to internal control Internal control has existed since ancient times. In Hellenistic Egypt there was a dual administration, with one set of bureaucrats charged with collecting taxes and another with supervising them. Internal control is defined as a process effected by an organisation’s structure, work and authority flows, people and management information systems, designed to help the organisation accomplish specific goals or objectives while minimising the likelihood that unwanted events will occur. It helps direct, monitor and measure the organisation’s resources. It plays an important role in preventing and detecting fraud, protecting the organisation’s resources and reducing adverse effects of liabilities. Global internal control models The COSO Internal Control-Integrated Framework is the most widely used framework. It defines internal control as a process, effected by an organisation’s board of directors, management and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following three categories: (a) Effectiveness and efficiency of operations; (b) Reliability of financial reporting and (c) Compliance with laws and regulations. responsibility for internal control and reporting lines Ultimately, the responsibility for internal control lies with the board of directors. Through delegation of authority, operational management will be responsible for the development and maintenance of controls in its area of responsibility. For example, internal audit may be required by its organisation to provide an overall “control opinion” which concludes with an assessment/risk grading for the areas reviewed. Many codes on corporate governance require senior management or the board of directors to report on the internal control system. This report should include details of non-compliance with rules and regulations, material weaknesses in internal control, financial adjustments and their materiality to the income statement of the organisation, and other risks and/or exposures that require changes to internal control. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 15
  • 16. Internal audit Introduction to internal audit The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) defines internal audit as “an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organisation’s operations. It helps an organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes”. Various national institutes of the internal audit profession around the globe cooperate and subscribe to this definition and are following the standards that are commonly developed. Global internal audit standards With its International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, the IIA provides for a worldwide, common understanding of the internal audit profession, including essential requirements of how to meet the expectations and responsibilities of the internal audit function and the internal auditors. The Standards are principles-based, mandatory requirements consisting of statements of basic requirements for the professional practice of internal auditing and for evaluating the effectiveness of performance. These are internationally applicable at organisational and individual levels, and include interpretations that clarify terms or concepts stated in the Standards. responsibility for internal audit and reporting lines The head of internal audit reports periodically to senior management and to the board or the audit committee on the internal audit activity’s purpose, authority, responsibility and performance relative to its plan. The main reporting line is to the audit committee. The audit committee approves the annual audit plan, as well as reviewing the assessment of internal control and risk management systems. External audit The role of the external audit The primary role of the external audit is to express an opinion on whether an organisation’s financial statements are free of material misstatements. For a thorough assessment of the financial statements, the independence of the external auditors is crucial. Therefore, any relationship between external auditors and the organisation, other than retention for the audit itself, must be disclosed in the external auditor’s report. In order to provide a high level of assurance that the financial statements follow the appropriate basis of accounting, e.g. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), external auditors gather necessary evidence to issue the audit report. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 16
  • 17. assessment of risk management and internal control The external auditor’s understanding of the company’s risk management and internal control systems provides a basis both to plan the audit and assess control risk. Control risk is defined as the risk that material misstatements will not be prevented or detected by the client’s internal control and is thus a key variable for external auditors to determine whether the client’s internal control is effective. The external auditor’s knowledge should, for example, include the relevant risks and design of controls to manage these risks, how they are defined and whether they have been placed in operation or not. Cooperation with internal audit Although external audit and internal audit have some complementary relationships, coordination of their activities is essential. Internal audit’s evaluations of the internal control systems provide significant information for the external auditor’s assessment of control/risk affecting the financial statements. The ideal situation is when the external and internal auditors meet periodically to discuss their scope of work, methodology and audit coverage. FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 17
  • 18. FERMA: www.ferma.eu The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) brings together 20 national risk management associations of 18 countries. It represents a wide range of business sectors from manufacturing to financial services, charities, health organisations and local government bodies. FERMA’s objectives are to support its members by coordinating, enhancing awareness and effective use of risk management, insurance and risk financing in Europe. FERMA organises a biennial forum and a biennial benchmarking survey on the status of risk management in Europe. The results of this survey are presented at a seminar for all members. ECIIA: www.eciia.eu The European Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditing (ECIIA) is the professional representative body of 33 national Institutes of Internal Audit in the wider European area. The ECIIA’s objective is to support the position of internal audit professionals in the European Union and in the ECIIA’s member countries and to promote the application of the global Institute of Internal Auditors’ Standards and Code of Ethics to all internal audit professionals in the public and the private sector. The ECIIA undertakes research on topics related to internal audit, business control, risk management and corporate governance. It publishes position papers, briefing reports and a quarterly newsletter. Contributors to this publication michel DeNNerY: FERMA Board Member; Risk Management Director - GDF SUEZ marie Gemma DeQUae: FERMA Board Member; Risk Manager - Partena Group; Director of Risk Management Research Platform - Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School Jean-Pierre GarITTe: Former President ECIIA; former Chairman of the Board of the global Institute of Internal Auditors roland De meULDer: Adviser to the managing board of ECIIA; former Chairman of the Internal Auditing Standards Board Chantal PIerre: Former Secretary ECIIA; former Secretary of the Board of the global Institute of Internal Auditors michèle F. rÜDISSer: Senior Lecturer in Organisational Control and Governance - University of St. Gallen T. Flemming rUUD: Professor of Business Administration, in particular internal control / internal audit - University of St. Gallen Paul TaYLOr: FERMA Board Member; Director of Risk Assurance - Morgan Crucible FERMA / ECIIA Guidance for boards and audit committees 18
  • 19. Ferma Federation of European Risk Management Associations Avenue Louis Gribaumont, 1 /B4, 1150 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 761 94 31 Fax: +32 2 771 87 20 Email: info@ferma.eu eCIIa European Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditing Koningsstraat 109 -111 bus 5 BE - 1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 217 33 20 Fax: +32 2 217 33 20 Email: office@eciia.org