An effective internal audit department adds value to its organization in numerous ways. It helps the organization to achieve its objectives, improves risk management, strengthens internal controls, and enhances overall corporate governance. This case describes the steps that The Schwan Food Company took to establish its internal audit department, including finding a highly qualified chief audit executive, defining the internal audit department’s mission, developing the audit charter, staffing the department, creating an overall audit strategy, and assessing the department’s effectiveness. The exhibits provided in this case are used with permission straight from the company’s files, and all the information in this case is factual. The case is appropriate for an auditing class or an internal audit class at the senior or graduate level.
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