In honor of International Internal Audit Awareness Month, internal audit offices across North Carolina state government are planning activities designed to educate, engage, and highlight the vital role internal auditors play in strengthening government operations. This observance continues a longstanding commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and effective stewardship of public resources.
Governor Stein has proclaimed May as Internal Audit Awareness Month for the state, recognizing the profession’s critical contributions to efficient and ethical government.
Internal auditors across agencies and universities serve the public by helping reduce risk, ensure strong internal controls, and protect state resources. Their work adds value to programs and services that impact residents statewide.
“Internal Audit Awareness Month is an opportunity to highlight the important work internal auditors quietly carry out every day,” said Barbara Baldwin, Executive Director of the Council of Internal Auditing. “Internal auditors across our state government work to strengthen operations, safeguard public resources, and ensure agencies serve North Carolinians effectively. Even when our work is not visible, its impact is felt statewide.”
Internal auditing in state government is governed by the Internal Auditing Act, which requires state organizations to maintain internal audit programs that align with Global Internal Auditing Standards (GIAS). Internal auditors use a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve governance, risk management, and internal control processes.
Since the 1990s, Internal Audit Awareness Month has provided a platform for auditors worldwide to spotlight their contributions to good governance and to explain how internal audit protects the public interest.
About the Council of Internal Auditing
The Council of Internal Auditing was created by the General Assembly in 2007 and promotes statewide standards, performance, and training for internal auditing in state government. The Council is chaired by the State Controller and includes representatives from the Office of State Budget and Management, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Revenue, two legislative appointees, and the State Auditor.