2025-06-10
The Central Bank of Somalia mandates all licensed banks, including foreign branches and subsidiaries, to establish an independent internal audit function led by a professionally qualified Internal Auditor. The regulation requires the auditor to maintain direct reporting lines to the board’s Audit Committee, execute annual risk-based audit plans covering all operations, and deliver quarterly written reports on systemic integrity, compliance, and financial controls. Banks must ensure immediate written notification to the Central Bank regarding insolvency risks, regulatory non-compliance, material operational changes, fraud or AML failures, and significant board or senior officer disruptions.
2016 1 REGULATION ON INTERNAL AUDIT, 2016 REGULATION ON INTERNAL AUDIT, 2016 CBS/BS/REG/04
2016 2 REGULATION ON INTERNAL AUDIT, 2016
2016 3 REGULATION ON INTERNAL AUDIT, 2016 3. DUTIES OF INTERNAL AUDITOR 3.1. The Internal Auditor shall develop an audit plan based upon a thorough risk assessment of the bank’s activities that conforms to internationally accepted professional standards and guidelines. The audit plan shall be approved by the Audit Committee and board of directors. The audit plan may cover multiple years but must be updated and approved annually. The scope of the audit plan shall apply to all activities of the bank including those at branches, subsidiaries, and outsourced. 3.2. Operating in accordance with the approved audit plan, the Internal Auditor and staff members shall independently examine and evaluate the entirety of the bank’s systems and processes for integrity, validity, reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, and timeliness: • Risk management. • Corporate governance. • Accounting and finance. • Capital adequacy and liquidity. • Internal control, including safeguarding of assets. • Management Information. • Compliance; and • Reports to the Central Bank. 3.3. The Internal Auditor shall report in writing on the results of the internal audit to senior officers and the board of directors on a quarterly basis or more frequently if required by the work plan or requested by the Audit Committee. 3.4. The Internal Auditor shall provide an investigative service to management on a case-by-case basis as approved by the Audit Committee. 3.5. The Internal Auditor shall consult regularly with the bank’s external auditor on significant matters that come to his/her attention and shall provide the external auditor with access to relevant internal audit reports.
2016 4 REGULATION ON INTERNAL AUDIT, 2016 4. INTERNAL AUDITOR’S DUTY TO REPORT TO THE CENTRAL BANK The Internal Auditor shall immediately report to the Central Bank in writing of the following matters. 4.1. The bank is insolvent, or there is a significant risk that the bank will become insolvent. 4.2. The bank has failed to comply with the requirements of the FIL, a regulation of the Central Bank, or a condition of its license. 4.3. There are existing facts about the bank which may be detrimental to the interests of depositors, including but not limited to the following: • There has been a material change in the risks inherent in the business of the bank with the potential to affect the bank’s ability to continue safe and sound operations. • A serious criminal offence involving fraud or other dishonesty has been, or is likely to be, committed. • Measures to prevent money laundering or terrorist financing are not being properly implemented. • There is a material conflict within or between the board of directors and senior officers of the bank. • A senior officer has unexpectedly left the bank’s employ. • The Internal Auditor resigns, or his/her employment is terminated. • The bank has failed to comply with a recommendation by the Internal Auditor that a matter be communicated to the Central Bank.