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IS Audit Standards, Guidelines, Functions & Codes of Ethics
This opening episode of the ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep series introduces the foundational principles that govern the information systems audit profession. It covers the rules, guidance, and ethical expectations that shape how IS auditors operate, how audit functions are organised, and why those elements are essential to producing trustworthy audit opinions.
What this episode covers
- IS audit standards — the mandatory requirements that set the minimum level of acceptable audit work across all assignments.
- Guidelines — the practical how-to layer beneath standards, helping auditors apply requirements using professional judgment.
- Three standard families — how general, performance, and reporting standards each address a different dimension of audit practice.
- Code of professional ethics — the conduct duties that govern objectivity, confidentiality, competence, and honest reporting.
- Information Technology Assurance Framework (ITAF) — the umbrella reference model that ties roles, skills, conduct, and practical guidance together.
- Audit charter and engagement letter — how the charter grants function-wide authority while the engagement letter scopes a single assignment.
- Managing the audit function — maintaining independence, keeping skills current, and supervising external experts without delegating responsibility.
Watch the full episode above for the worked examples and detailed explanations of each concept.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IS audit standards and guidelines?
Standards are mandatory requirements that every IS auditor must follow — they set the minimum level of acceptable work. Guidelines are the how-to layer that explain how to meet those standards; an auditor should consider them, apply professional judgment, and explain any deviation from them.
What are the three families of IS audit standards?
The three families are general standards, which cover ethics, independence, and competence; performance standards, which cover planning, evidence, and professional judgment; and reporting standards, which cover how audit results are communicated to stakeholders.
What duties does the ISACA code of professional ethics place on an auditor?
The code requires auditors to work with objectivity and due care, serve stakeholders lawfully, protect the confidentiality of information they access, take on only work they are competent to perform, and report findings honestly — including uncomfortable ones — without taking sides.
What is an audit charter, and how does it differ from an engagement letter?
An audit charter is a board-approved document that grants the audit function its authority, mandate, and independence across the whole organisation. An engagement letter is narrower — it covers the terms and scope of one specific audit assignment, like a travel ticket for a single trip.
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Reference: This article is based on concepts discussed in IS Audit Standards, Guidelines, Functions & Codes of Ethics.