It is important to write the Assessment Report without the help of personnel who conduct the work being assessed
Answer : B
It is important to confirm observations and recommendations with personnel who conduct the work being assessed. Engaging with them ensures accuracy and relevance in the findings and recommendations, as they provide context and insights that the assurance team might not have. This collaboration helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures that the recommendations are practical and feasible for implementation. Reference:
ISO 19011:2018 - Guidelines for auditing management systems
COSO Internal Control -- Integrated Framework
An Assessment should target very low or zero Assurance Risk
Answer : B
The level of assurance risk targeted by an assessment should be driven by the assessment's purpose and parameters. Not all assessments require very low or zero assurance risk; some may appropriately target higher levels of assurance risk depending on the context and objectives. The purpose and scope of the assessment, as well as the risk tolerance of the organization, will dictate the acceptable level of assurance risk. This approach ensures that resources are allocated efficiently and that the assessment is tailored to the specific needs and risks of the organization. Reference:
ISO 31000:2018 - Risk management -- Guidelines
COSO Enterprise Risk Management -- Integrating with Strategy and Performance
A QUALIFIED assurance opinion or statement is
Answer : C
A QUALIFIED assurance opinion or statement indicates that the assessment encountered some limitations, and outside of those limitations, a positive or negative statement can be offered. This type of opinion acknowledges that there are constraints that affected the scope or completeness of the assessment, but within the areas that could be reviewed, the assurance provider can still offer a conclusion. It is a way to communicate the assurance provider's findings while being transparent about any limitations that were encountered. Reference:
IIA Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing
AICPA Auditing Standards
Which of these is defined as "externally directing, controlling and evaluating an entity, process or resource"
Answer : A
Governance is defined as 'externally directing, controlling and evaluating an entity, process, or resource'. It involves establishing policies, and continuous monitoring of their proper implementation, by the members of the governing body of an organization. It ensures that the entity is operating effectively and in alignment with its objectives and regulatory requirements. Governance encompasses a wide range of activities, including strategic planning, decision-making, and oversight, all aimed at achieving the entity's goals while managing risk and ensuring compliance. Reference:
ISO 38500:2015 - Information technology - Governance of IT for the organization
OECD Principles of Corporate Governance
Which of these roles is allowed to conduct assurance?
Answer : J
Any and all of the listed roles can conduct assurance activities provided they have the appropriate purpose and parameters defined. Assurance activities are not limited to a specific function but can be performed by various roles within an organization, such as Internal Audit, Compliance, Risk Management, and Information Security, among others. The key is that these roles must operate with the proper scope, authority, and independence to provide credible and reliable assurance. Reference:
COSO Internal Control -- Integrated Framework
ISO 31000:2018 - Risk management -- Guidelines
When inspecting information, the Content Criteria provides a guide to evaluating which of these
Answer : A
When inspecting information, the Content Criteria provides a guide to evaluating the design of the control. Content Criteria help ensure that the controls are appropriately designed to achieve their intended purpose. Evaluating the design involves assessing whether the control's structure, procedures, and policies are adequate to mitigate identified risks and meet regulatory and organizational requirements. Reference:
ISO 19011:2018 - Guidelines for auditing management systems
COSO Internal Control -- Integrated Framework
A NEGATIVE assurance opinion or statement is
Answer : B
A NEGATIVE assurance opinion or statement indicates that, based on the procedures performed and evidence obtained, the assurance provider did not identify any reasons to believe that the subject matter does not conform to the applicable criteria. This form of opinion does not provide absolute assurance but rather limited assurance, suggesting that nothing came to the auditor's attention that causes them to believe the subject matter is not fairly stated. Reference:
AICPA Auditing Standards
IIA Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing