Risk-Based Audit Plan Template
A template for developing an annual risk-based internal audit plan aligned with the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards.
Plan components
- Planning basis — understanding of the organization's objectives, strategies and risks
- Risk assessment — input from management, risk function, prior audit results and external intelligence
- Universe — auditable entities mapped to objectives and risks
- Risk rating — each entity rated by inherent risk and assurance needs
- Resource plan — hours, skills and budget
- Coverage — expressed as risk coverage, not percentage of locations
- Timing — when each engagement will be performed
Approval and flexibility
- The plan is approved by the audit committee
- A portion (typically 15–25%) is reserved for emerging risks and requests
- Material changes are re-approved by the committee
Documentation to retain
- Risk assessment methodology and inputs
- Auditable universe and ratings
- Resource assumptions
- Committee approval and any amendments
A plan is credible when its coverage can be explained in terms of the organization's risks.