Internrevisionen

Internrevisionen (internal audit) is the independent assurance and advisory function within an organization. Its primary purpose is to strengthen governance, risk management, and control processes by providing independent evaluations of the adequacy and effectiveness of these systems and by offering recommendations for improvement.

The scope of internrevisionen includes assessing financial and operational controls, information technology security and data governance, compliance with laws and policies, and the overall effectiveness of risk management. It develops an annual audit plan based on risk assessment, conducts fieldwork, communicates findings through formal audit reports, and follows up on the implementation of corrective actions. In addition to assurance, it may provide advisory services to help management improve processes and controls, while preserving objectivity.

Governance and independence are central to the function. Internal audit typically reports to the board or audit committee and to senior management, while maintaining independence from day-to-day operations. Professional standards, often aligned with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, guide its work, complemented by the organization’s ethics framework and risk policies.

Relation to external auditors is complementary: internal auditors focus on internal processes, governance, and risk, while external auditors review financial statements and transparency. In many organisations, internal audit is a formal function with a charter, defined authority, and access to records and personnel, using in-house staff, outsourced providers, or a mix (co-sourcing).

Terminology: in Swedish contexts, internrevisionen denotes the internal audit function and may be organized as a department within a ministry, agency, municipality, or company. The concept serves as an ongoing assurance and advisory resource to strengthen governance and accountability.