IIA NZ GIAS Workshop 2: Preparing for an External Quality Assessment under the Global Internal Audit Standards: What It Means for New Zealand Members (2nd Workshop of 3)

Event Information:

• Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026
• Delivery Method: Online - Teams Meeting
• Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
• Duration: 1 Hour

This practical IIA NZ workshop will explore how Quality Assurance and Improvement Programmes (QAIPs) and External Quality Assessments (EQAs) fit within the Global Internal Audit Standards. The IIA describes a QAIP as a programme established by the Chief Audit Executive to evaluate and ensure that the internal audit function conforms with the Global Internal Audit Standards, achieves performance objectives, and pursues continuous improvement. The QAIP includes both internal and external assessments.

The session will unpack what this means in practice for New Zealand internal audit functions, including what an EQA would look like if your organisation were to undertake one. The IIA notes that a full-scope EQA is the most comprehensive external assessment approach, supports conformance to Standard 8.4, can be performed on-site or remotely, and results in a comprehensive report covering overall conformance or nonconformance with the Standards, successful practices, conformance gaps, enhancement opportunities, and a maturity level assessment.

John Stewart, an approved EQA provider for The IIA and part of the IIA NZ EQA partnership, will share what this looks like in real terms for our members, including how an internal audit function prepares, what evidence is typically reviewed, how stakeholder interviews are used, what the assessment journey feels like, and the kinds of insights and opportunities an organisation can expect to receive. This will help demystify the process and give members a practical understanding of how an EQA can support credibility, performance, and continuous improvement.

The workshop will also touch on the options available before a full EQA. The IIA highlights gap assessments as a way to prepare for an EQA and identify gaps against the new Standards, and self-assessment with independent validation as a more cost-effective option that includes independent validation, selected stakeholder interviews, and a validation report identifying successful practices, conformance gaps, and enhancement opportunities.

For New Zealand members, this session will be particularly relevant for Chief Audit Executives, Heads of Internal Audit, small internal audit teams, co-sourced functions, and those wanting to better understand how to move beyond basic conformance toward stronger quality and effectiveness. The IIA states that quality assessments help demonstrate conformance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, which is required at least once every five years, while also enhancing stakeholder confidence and assessing the internal audit activity's efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with organisational strategy and risk.

What this means for our members in New Zealand:

• a clearer understanding of how Quality Assessments sit within the new GIAS framework
• practical guidance on readiness for external quality assessments
• insight into what good practice looks like beyond minimum conformance
• greater clarity on the expectations of Boards, Audit and Risk Committees, and Chief Audit Executives
• practical considerations for New Zealand internal audit functions of different sizes and maturity levels

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• explain how Quality Assessments align with the Global Internal Audit Standards
• distinguish between internal quality monitoring and external quality assessments
• identify the implications of the GIAS for governance, methodology, and reporting
• assess what their internal audit function may need to strengthen in preparation for future quality assessments
• understand how quality assessment outcomes can be used to elevate credibility and impact

Registration Information: Registrations for this event are through IIA NZ National Office.

IIA NZ Members: $FREE

This is a closed IIA NZ member's event. A minimum attendance of 10 people applies for this event, with a maximum of 100 online.

Registrations are open and will close on the 2 June 2026.

IIA NZ Event Overview and Refund Policy: https://iianz.org.nz/Site/terms-and-conditions.aspx

If you require assistance with registering, please contact events@iianz.org.nz