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President’s Communique

Ethics: The Cornerstone of

Internal Auditing

Dear Members,

Ethics lies at the heart of internal auditing, shaping the profession’s credibility,
trust, and impact. As internal auditors, we operate in an environment Burzin Dubash
where integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competency are not just President, IIA India
expected but essential. In a rapidly evolving business landscape, adherence to ethical standards ensures
that internal auditors remain trusted advisors to their organizations, safeguarding governance, risk
management, and control processes.

The recently concluded IIA India International Conference and CAE Roundtable provided a
powerful platform to discuss the evolving role of internal auditors. A key takeaway was that ethics is
not just a theoretical concept but a practical necessity embedded in every aspect of our profession.
Whether addressing AI-driven audit methodologies, navigating emerging risks, or ensuring governance
effectiveness, the discussions reinforced that ethical considerations must be at the forefront of decision-
making.

Across multiple sessions, we saw ethics as an underlying theme—whether in discussions on fraud
prevention, risks in start-ups, whistleblower protections, or the role of internal auditors in building
ethical organizations. As we embrace technological advancements and expand our influence, we must
remain vigilant in upholding the highest ethical standards, ensuring that our insights and actions align
with the principles of integrity and accountability.

The IIA Code of Ethics provides a strong foundation for guiding our professional conduct. It is built
upon four key principles:

• Integrity – Establishing trust and demonstrating honesty in all professional endeavours.
• Objectivity – Ensuring impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest in our work.
• Confidentiality – Respecting the value and ownership of information, using it responsibly.
• Competency – Continuously improving our knowledge, skills, and expertise to meet professional
responsibilities.

IIA India remains committed to equipping members with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks to
strengthen ethical practices within their organizations. As we move forward, let us continue to champion
ethics as the bedrock of our profession, reinforcing our impact as trusted guardians of good governance.

Kind regards,
Burzin Dubash

INTERNAL AUDIT TODAY 2