First Quarter 2006

Print Article Print Entire Issue

The Common Body of Knowledge

Carrying on a Legacy

The Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (IIARF) is committed to understanding how the practice of internal auditing is carried out around the world and using this knowledge to provide guidance to our more than 115,000 members. Today, this effort is taking a monumental step forward.

The IIARF is performing an ongoing research program, entitled the Common Body of Knowledge  (CBOK), which will broaden our understanding of how internal auditing is practiced around the world. This comprehensive study will be updated every three years and will become a permanent program of The IIA Research Foundation.

The purpose of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK) is to:

• Develop a summary of the global practice of internal auditing.
• Provide insights on the practices of internal auditing, how it has changed and where it is going.
• Provide information on the context in which internal auditing is practiced (the role within organizations, governance structures, regulation, etc.).
• Allowing leaders to identify and anticipate change and align their organizations with best practices of internal auditing.
• Communicate data, analysis and report results to the various international committees and IIA business units.
• Assistance with guidance, standards, and examinations.

These goals will be achieved by:

• Designing and distributing a worldwide survey to internal auditors to capture information regarding their work.
• Creating modular research reports on topics that will produce a “living library” of information useful to internal audit practitioners.
• Engaging leading internal audit researchers to:
  • Develop critical insights into the data collected.
  • Draw implications that can be debated, refined and used as a basis to move the profession forward.

We anticipate the release of the survey in the fourth quarter of 2006. To learn more about CBOK, view the project phases, sign up to participate in the survey, or help fund CBOK, visit  www.theiia.org/CBOK.