Everything starts with an idea, and this book is no exception. At frst, the various thoughts and discussions were focused on the original intention to "merely" create a job introduction for new Internal Audit employees. Tis plan has since evolved into a comprehensive, up-to-date presentation of the tasks and challenges facing Internal Audit, in a format and on a scale hitherto unrivalled in the market. Tere are very few units in the company that have been subject to such a m- jor change process in recent years as Internal Audit. Tis applies irrespective of company size as corporations adapt to developments in information technology, corporate governance, legal requirements, and global best practices. For large co- porations, the change process typically involves restructuring, expanding, and i- ternationalizing the existing department, while smaller and medium-sized comp- nies face the challenges associated with setting up such a department for the frst time. For this reason, we have not produced this book with a specifc audience or sector in mind. Rather, we have tried to present the idea of Internal Audit so comprehensively that readers can get from it the information they require for their particular situations. Te target audience of this handbook could not be more varied, and we hope that a large cross-section of managers and employees from Internal Audit, compl- ance, risk, and corporate management will beneft from reading it.

Conceptual Basis of Internal Audit

Nature and Content of Audits
Internal Audit: Meeting Today's Needs
Framework of Internal Audit at SAP
Organizational Structure of GIAS
Fundamental Principles of the GIAS Approach
Audit Methods
Other Services
The SAP®-Audit Roadmap as a Working Basis for Internal Audit
General Introduction
Planning
Preparation
Execution
Reporting
Follow-Up Phase
Special Audit Roadmaps
Examples from Audit Practice at SAP
Audit Basics
Selected Financial Audit Topics
Selected Operational Audit Topics
Combined Audit Topics
Business Review
Global Audits
SOX Audits
Revenue Recognition Assurance
IT Audits
Special Topics and Supplementary Discussion
Documentation in Internal Audit
Cooperation
Annual Risk-Based Audit Planning
IT Environment of Internal Audit
Quality Assurance for Internal Audit
Escalation Procedure
Performance Measurement System
Integrated Cost Management (Cost of Internal Audits)
Peer Review
Guest Auditors
Management of Internal Audit
Marketing of Internal Audit
Fraud Prevention
Services Provided by Internal Audit Relating to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Conclusion
Conclusion.