The Internal Audit Forum is a professional body to support independent internal auditors and to ensure high standards among them. Internal Audit for Parish and Town Councils is very different from that in organisations covered by the Companies Acts. Internal Audit looks at the internal financial controls  of councils and aims to ensure that practices and procedures are followed.

For Councils under the £25,000 threshold, the internal audit may be the only professional external scrutiny the public body will receive. The Internal Auditor will provide a comprehensive report as well as completion of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). 

The IAF Objectives

1. To ensure Councils which contract Internal Audit from members receive a uniform, high standard of service.

2. To support Council Internal Auditors and assist with development of the sector.

3. To review and assist with the updating of the Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) Practitioners’ Guide.

4. To liaise with the External Auditors and the SAAA (Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments Ltd)

Our Aim, Purposes and Values are:

1.To promote the provision of high-quality Parish and Town Council internal audits.

2. To promote the provision of high-quality internal auditors.

3. To foster good working relationships between internal auditors, councils and external auditors 

OALC encourages all councils to use professional Internal Auditors, preferably those who are members of the IAF.

More information here - Internal Audit Forum