Our story begins in 1948 when a group of like-minded men and women started the London Institute of Internal Auditors chapter to commit to best practices in the profession.
Word spread and new groups assembled in Birmingham, the Northwest, the Northeast and Scotland.
In 1975 these groups joined to form the IIA with an agreed remit to create synergy across the profession.
The recognition and influence began to spread. As more individuals joined, interest grew, and as the institute became established, it launched its first designation, the MIIA.
As practitioners began to come together in Ireland and Northern Ireland, we became the IIA UK and Ireland.
When our membership count passed 5,000, we were well on our way to becoming the recognised champion of internal audit in the UK and Ireland.
The 2008 financial crisis highlighted the importance of proper risk management oversight, internal control and good corporate governance.
In response, we published the Code for Effective Internal Audit in The Financial Services Sector in July 2013, to implement the framework required to achieve this.
The public sector didn't take long to follow, and in 2012 we were a crucial player in creating the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards. It established a common set of internal audit standards across the UK public sector.
The Irish Government adopted the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing in 2012.
These buy-ins from different sectors and regions have helped gain the profession's traction and influence.
Today, the globally recognised standards we've been a part of creating underpin all of our codes and technical guidance. But it did not end there.
As internal auditing became a focus for every profession, we launched a further code of practice focused on the private and third sectors.
And in 2024 we published a unified and updated version of the Code of Practice, applicable to organisations in the financial services, private and third sectors.
Our passion and commitment to this profession haven't stopped growing. We are the leading voice in the profession, and our Chartered status in 2010 reinforced that.
We continue to grow, innovate, push the boundaries of internal auditing and protect the industry.
As technology, AI and cyber security continue to push for change and adaptation, we will be at the forefront of building a secure internal audit function with empowered and informed members.
Endorsement for internal auditing
Internal auditing was first recognised as an essential part of good corporate governance in the Cadbury report of 1992, which helped increase interest in this field.
This continued when the Turnbull Report 1999 gave further acknowledgement of the best practice on internal control for UK-listed companies.
In 2003, we were endorsed for our IIA Internal Standards in the Smith guidance.
Timeline
The first London chapter was established.
London, Birmingham, Northwest, Northeast and Scotland joined to become the Chartered IIA – members number in their hundreds.
Publication of the first members magazine called Internal Auditing.
Renamed to the IIA UK and moved to current headquarters in London. The first designation, the MIIA, was launched.
The Cadbury report recognised the importance of internal auditing.
With Ireland and Northern Ireland joining the ranks, we became the IIA UK and Ireland. The Turnbull Report marked the understanding of best practices in internal control of UK companies.
Smith's guidance merits the IIA Internal Standards.
Financial crisis highlights the importance of internal auditing.
We received Chartered Status.
A key player in creating the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, and Ireland adopts the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.
We launched codes of practice for the private sector outside of financial services and the third sector.
We published the Code for Effective Internal Audit in The Financial Services Sector publication.