QAIP, self-assessment and EQA preparation - faster, better substantiated, less hassle.
The AQUA app helps CAEs systematically assess their IA function against the GIAS (Global Internal Audit Standards, IIA), from the annual QAIP/self-assessment to the mandatory external EQA.
The Challenge
From disconnected self-assessment to a secured quality cycle
Many internal audit functions lack structured insight into their own quality level. AQUA brings self-assessment, improvement actions and external assessment together in one platform, built on the IIA standards.
Self-assessment without an objective framework
Own judgements are subjective and blind spots go unnoticed, especially with 52 IIA standards and dozens of requirements to track.
Structured testing against the IIA standards
All 52 Global Internal Audit Standards are embedded, with automatic scoring based on an evidence-based methodology.
PDFs, Excel and SharePoint as an assessment tool
Separate documents and shared folders make substantiation untraceable, and improvement actions get lost among the findings.
One platform from assessment to action
Every finding links directly to an improvement action with owner and deadline, in the same platform as the assessment.
EQA preparation takes months, trends are missing
External quality assessment means a manual, document-intensive process, and without stored scores improvement over the years cannot be demonstrated.
EQA-ready platform with trend history
The same platform also supports the external assessor, with scores that stay comparable year on year.
This is what it looks like
A selection from AQUA
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Topical Requirements
Domain-specific assessments
In addition to the 52 core standards, AQUA supports IIA Topical Requirements, thematic assessments for specific risk domains that the IIA designates as priority areas.
Cybersecurity
Assess audit coverage on cybersecurity risks against IIA Topical Requirements. Essential for organisations with significant digital exposure or an elevated risk profile.
Third-Party Management
Suppliers and chain partners carry their own risks. TR Third-Party helps IA functions assess and strengthen their coverage on this growing risk domain.
Organisational Behavior
Culture, integrity and ethics as an audit domain. AQUA supports the assessment of internal audit on behavioral and cultural risks in line with IIA standards.
What the AQUA app offers
A complete QAIP solution
AQUA brings everything needed for a professional quality assurance and improvement programme together, from self-assessment through improvement management to external evaluation.
From QAIP to EQA, optionally
From annual QAIP and self-assessment to optional EQA preparation, all in one platform. An EQA is not mandatory, but should you choose to pursue one, Audirium conducts it.
Gap to action
Each finding links directly to an improvement action. Track progress, assign owners and monitor deadlines, all in context.
Fully built on IIA standards
All 52 Global Internal Audit Standards embedded, including principles, requirements and considerations. Automatic scoring based on an evidence-based methodology. Topical Requirements fully integrated.
Personal conduct checklists (RA/RE)
Under each self-assessment you assess every person individually against the code of ethics of their own professional body, per fundamental principle, with tension signals such as confidentiality versus the duty to report to the board.
Insight & Foresight + AI improvement plan
An Insight & Foresight scan assesses the function’s forward-looking capability across methods, competences and enabling conditions. The AI improvement plan proposes prioritised actions based on that, straight into the action tracker. Read the analysis (Dutch) →
Secure team collaboration
Data per organisation is strictly separated, with SSO, MFA, audit logging and HTTPS, hosted in Europe. Multiple team members work simultaneously, with roles from contributor to reviewer to external assessor.
How it works
From start to reporting in five steps
Choose your assessment type
Start a Self Assessment, EQA or Topical Requirement such as Cybersecurity. The dashboard shows all ongoing and completed assessments immediately.
Assess per requirement
For each standard you record Generally Conforms, Partially Conforms or Does Not Conform, with rationale and evidence.
Score, insight and foresight
After each round the platform shows your maturity scores per principle, and the Insight & Foresight scan the function’s forward-looking capability.
Link improvement actions
Findings become actions with owner, deadline and priority. The action overview shows progress across the entire improvement programme.
Report, incl. personal norms
Generate a report for the audit committee with scores and maturity levels, including the personal RA/RE conduct checklists per fundamental principle.
External Quality Assessment
EQA module: ready for the external assessor
Once every five years, the IIA requires an external quality assessment. For listed companies and semi-public institutions this is also embedded in the Corporate Governance Code. AQUA prepares your IA function, and supports the external assessor as well.
QAM 2024 integrated: the IIA Quality Assessment Manual 2024 is fully embedded as a reference framework for external assessors.
Dual perspective: SA and EQA are presented side by side for easy comparison of internal and external assessment per standard.
Export ready: generate a complete EQA report for the Audit Committee, including maturity scores per principle and domain.
Findings and narratives: external assessors add findings that are immediately visible to the CAE and management.
SAIV or Full EQA: your team conducts the assessment itself (SAIV) while the assessor validates and signs off, or the assessor takes on the full assessment (Full EQA). No documents back and forth by email, everything in one shared environment.
EQA at a glance
Further reading
The thinking behind AQUA
Ready to professionalise your QAIP?
Request a demo or contact us for more information about AQUA for your organisation.