This requirement is not intended to restrict internal auditors from adopting additional standards from other authoritative bodies, such as the Comptroller General of the United States or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as appropriate. The Standards are divided into general standards, specific standards and guidelines. General and specific standards must be followed.
Guidelines represent the most suitable means of meeting general or specific standards.
Through the SIAS', the Institute provides authoritative interpretations of the Standards. The Institute first issued the Standards in 1978, and since that time 14 SIAS' have been released. All professional staff within the Internal Audit and Management Services Department should have detailed knowledge about the Standards and SIAS'. I nternal auditors should be independent of the activities they audit. Our approach to maintaining independence and objectivity includes several elements.