CGE ANNUAL REPORT

2022/23 ANNUAL REPORT

4. Internal Audit Report

Section 38 of the PFMA requires the Accounting Officer to, amongst other things, ensure that the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has and maintains a system of internal audit under the control and direction of the audit committee. The purpose, authority and responsibility of the internal audit function established per Treasury Regulation (TR) 3.2.4 of the PFMA is defined in internal audit charter approved by the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC), which is consistent with the requirements stipulated in TR 3 of the PFMA, requiring alignment with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Audit (“ISPPIA”) set by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) prescribed by TR3.2.5. As required, the CAE reports functionally to the ARC and administratively to the Accounting Officer. The Internal Audit (IA)subscribes to and accepts the mandatory nature of the definition of internal audit as defined by ISPPIA which defines an internal audit as “an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps an organization achieve its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.” ‘ The key objectives of the Internal Audit Function are to assist the Audit & Risk Committee in the effective discharge of their responsibilities, provide strategic support to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and management that contributes towards the establishment of adequate and effective systems of governance, risk management and internal control processes through providing value-adding recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations of the Commission. It is within this context that the IA strives to continuously strengthen and understand its stakeholders, their specific requirements and business drivers so that there is continuous strategic alignment and value add to long term and short-term goals of the CGE. The CAE met the statutory reporting obligations to quarterly appraise the ARC of the progress in implementing the annual audit plan and where needed, issues requiring their intervention towards ensuring the effectiveness of the system of internal audit. 4.1. Progress made against the approved Annual Internal Audit Plan The internal audit progress to which this section of the report relates to covers the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, the section of the report includes progress on the planned audit projects as well as special audit requests (if any) that were undertaken during the reporting period.

In this reporting period, Internal Audit planned to conduct thirteen (13) audits and they were satisfactorily executed as planned.

All the areas for improvement identified through the audit efforts were communicated to management through the internal audit reports. Management continues to ensure that internal audit findings are resolved, through the implementation of recommendations and/or through the agreed-upon action

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