1. Scope of application
Auditing Standard No. 610 prescribes and guides the responsibilities of auditors and auditing firms (hereinafter referred to as “auditors”) in relation to the work of internal auditors when the auditors determine, as prescribed in paragraph 23 of Vietnam Auditing Standard No. 315, that internal audit may be relevant to the audit (See paragraphs A1 - A2 for guidance in this Standard).
This standard does not apply where internal auditors are engaged to participate in an independent audit.
2. The relationship between internal audit and independent audit
The objectives of internal audit are determined by the Board of Directors and the Management Board of the audited unit. Although the objectives of internal audit and the objectives of independent audit are different, in some cases, to achieve those objectives, internal audit and independent audit may apply some similar methods and procedures (See instructions in paragraph A3 of Standard No. 610).
No matter how autonomous and objective the internal audit is, it cannot be completely independent from the audited entity as is required of an independent auditor when expressing an opinion on financial statements. The auditor and the audit firm have sole responsibility for the audit opinion and that responsibility is not diminished when the auditor and the audit firm use the work of the internal auditor.
Auditors and audit firms shall comply with the provisions and guidance of this Standard when using the work of internal auditors in the course of performing audits and providing related services.
The entity (the customer) and the parties using the results of the audit shall have the necessary understanding of the requirements and instructions of this International Standard for the coordination of work and related relationships. to the independent auditor's use of the work of the internal auditor when performing audits and providing related services.
3. Goals
When the audited entity has an internal audit and the independent auditor determines that the internal audit may be relevant to the audit, the objectives of the auditor and the audit firm are:
- Determine the need and scope of specific internal auditor work;
- Determine the adequacy and appropriateness of the specific work of the internal auditor for the purpose of the audit.