File #: 2016-0344   
Type: Plan Status: Passed
File created: 4/15/2016 In control: Finance, Budget and Audit Committee
On agenda: 5/18/2016 Final action: 5/26/2016
Title: ADOPT the FY17 Proposed Audit Plan.
Sponsors: Finance, Budget and Audit Committee
Indexes: Audit, Budgeting, Evaluation and assessment, Financial Audit, Plan, Policy
Attachments: 1. Attachment A - FY17 Proposed Audit Plan

Meeting_Body

REVISED

FINANCE, BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE

MAY 18, 2016

 

Subject/Action

SUBJECT: FY17 AUDIT PLAN

ACTION: APPROVE ADOPTION OF THE FY17 PROPOSED AUDIT PLAN

 

Heading

RECOMMENDATION

 

Title

ADOPT the FY17 Proposed Audit Plan.

Issue
ISSUE

At its January 2008 meeting, the Board adopted modifications to the FY07 Financial Stability Policy.  The Financial Stability Policy requires Management Audit Services (Management Audit) to develop a risk assessment and an audit plan each year and present it to the Board.  It also requires that the Finance, Budget and Audit Committee, as the audit committee for the agency, provide input and approval of the audit plan. 

 

Discussion
DISCUSSION

Instrumental to the development of the FY17 Audit Plan was completion of the FY16 agency-wide risk assessment.  The agency-wide risk assessment is continually being refined and adjusted based upon events, issues identified during audits and agency priorities.  The risk assessment continues to place a strong emphasis on the agency’s internal control framework and vulnerability to fraud.  We believe this year’s risk assessment portrays the agency’s risks in light of the changes to our risk environment and the challenges the agency faces in the next few years.  The result is the FY17 Proposed Audit Plan (Attachment A).

                     

This is the twelfth year an audit plan has been developed and presented to the Board for input and adoption. 

                     

Policy Implications

                     

An audit plan defines the work that will be completed or directed by Management Audit each fiscal year.  It indicates both the depth and breadth of audit activities addressing financial, operational and compliance risks for the agency.  The audit plan also identifies the extent to which controls are being assessed by routine audit activities, addressed proactively through advisory services, or as a result of concerns from management.

                     

The annual audit plan is driven by two key factors:  (1) risk assessment results, and (2) audit resources.  The goal in drafting the audit plan is to address the highest risk areas at the agency given the resources available to complete the audits.

                     

In developing the plan, the hours included for each audit are an estimate.  There are occasions where some reviews may take longer and therefore absorb more hours than proposed and in other cases, the audit will be completed in fewer hours than estimated.  In addition, urgent requests arise that need audit support.  When this occurs, the plan must be reassessed and Management Audit may supplement internal resources with outside consultants as long as there is funding and consultants available for the task.  Therefore, not all planned audit work may be completed and the audit plan may be reassessed and adjusted during the year for unanticipated risks and work.

 

Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT

Approval of this item will not impact the safety of Metro’s patrons or employees.

Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT

Any funding for external consultants needed to complete the annual audit plan will be included in the FY17 budget in Management Audit’s cost centers and the appropriate projects throughout the agency.

Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

One option would be not to complete an annual audit plan.  This is not recommended since the audit plan is a management tool to systematically assign resources to areas that are a concern or high risk to the agency.  Communicating the audit plan to the Board is required by audit standards.

Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS

Once the Board adopts the annual audit plan, Management Audit will develop the audit schedule for FY17.  Management Audit will report to the Board quarterly on its progress in completing the annual audit plan.

 

 

Attachments

ATTACHMENTS

 

Attachment A - FY17 Annual Business Plan and Proposed Audit Plan

 

Prepared_by

Prepared by:                      Monica Del Toro, Audit Support

                                                               (213) 922-7494

 

Reviewed_by

Reviewed by:                      Diana Estrada, Chief Auditor

(213) 922-2161