Quality assurance reviews (QAR) of the internal audit function

Why it matters

An effective internal audit function plays a vital role in helping organisations manage risk, improve controls, and enhance governance. In the Natural Resources & Energy (NRE) sector, where operations are complex and risk exposure is high, it’s essential to ensure the internal audit function meets global professional standards and adds measurable value.

A Quality Assurance Review (QAR), as required every five years under the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), provides independent confirmation of the function’s conformance, performance, and positioning. At BDO UAE, we help clients ensure their internal audit functions are not only compliant, but also aligned with strategic goals and evolving sector expectations.

What we do

We provide comprehensive QAR services for internal audit functions across the NRE sector, combining technical, financial, and governance expertise.

• Full external QARs - End-to-end evaluations of internal audit practices, files, reports, and stakeholder feedback, benchmarking against IIA Standards.
• Self-assessment with independent validation (SAIV) - Independent validation of internal self-assessments, ensuring credibility and compliance with the IPPF.
• Assessment of conformance with standards - Review of planning, execution, and reporting processes to verify alignment with IIA Standards and industry best practices.
• Audit strategy and risk coverage review - Evaluation of whether audit plans are risk-based, strategically aligned, and reflective of key operational and emerging risks.
• Organisational positioning and independence - Review of reporting lines, mandate, and governance to ensure the function’s independence and objectivity.
• Audit quality and documentation checks - Assessment of audit files for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and evidence-based recommendations.
• Stakeholder perception analysis - Structured feedback from senior leaders and auditees to understand the internal audit function’s value and credibility.
• Capability building and enhancement roadmap - Actionable recommendations to strengthen audit resources, tools, training, and future-readiness.

Sectors and areas we support

We tailor QARs to reflect the specific risks and requirements of the NRE industry, covering:

• Corporate functions – Finance, procurement, HR, inventory, capex, treasury
• Operational functions – Maintenance, engineering, production, logistics, HSE
• Sector-specific focus – Joint ventures, exploration and production (E&P), ESG, regulatory compliance, commodity risk

Our approach

• Industry-specific insight – Our QARs are grounded in sector knowledge, not just audit theory
• Multidisciplinary team – Chartered Accountants, CIAs, ACCAs, and engineers across petroleum, mechanical, and electrical disciplines
• Collaborative and practical – We engage with your team throughout the review to ensure clarity and shared understanding
• Focus on improvement – We provide realistic, implementable solutions—not just assessments
• Tailored to scale – Whether your IA function is centralised, decentralised, or co-sourced, we adapt our methodology accordingly

What you gain

• Compliance with IIA Standards – External validation to meet regulatory and professional requirements
• Improved credibility – Enhanced trust from the audit committee, board, and senior management
• Stronger alignment – Audit plans more effectively support business strategy and key risks
• Increased efficiency – Identification of improvement areas in methodology, tools, and documentation
• Stakeholder confidence – Evidence of a high-performing, responsive audit function
• Clear roadmap – Practical steps for strengthening capabilities and future-proofing the function

Let’s work together

Whether you need a full external QAR or an independent validation of your self-assessment, BDO UAE can help elevate your internal audit function’s performance and credibility.