In support of our mission to empower members for success and protect the public interest, The IIA engages in many activities and major programs. Listed here are some of the profession's current key initiatives.
The IIA Excellence Awards
Global Internal Audit Legacy Award
Celebrating individuals whose exceptional dedication and lifetime accomplishments have profoundly influenced and advanced the internal auditing profession on a global scale.
Global Volunteer Leadership Award
Honoring individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment through their volunteer efforts in the internal audit community, making a lasting impact.
Educator Impact Award
Recognizing an educator making a significant impact on the advancement of internal auditing and education in colleges and universities.
Student Champion Award
Recognizing students who have made a meaningful impact on the internal audit field at their higher education institution by demonstrating exceptional initiative, leadership, research, or contributions that advance awareness and understanding of the profession.
Young Professional of the Year
Recognizing outstanding young internal audit professionals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing the profession globally through leadership, innovation, and commitment to high standards. The award celebrates rising leaders whose contributions inspire peers and strengthen the future of internal auditing.
Chief Audit Executive of the Year
Honoring outstanding leaders in internal audit, this category recognizes chief audit executives whose visionary leadership has elevated the role of internal audit, fostered cross-cultural collaboration, mentored future audit professionals, and delivered transformative impact for future success in a global landscape.
Innovation in Internal Audit
Recognizing and celebrating groundbreaking innovations in the profession that enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and value, celebrating internal audit functions for their unique contributions to advancing best practices.
Public Sector Leadership
Recognizing outstanding public sector or government audit teams or individuals who exemplify excellence in enhancing transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within public sector operations, demonstrating significant impact on a local, national, or global scale.
Additional IIA Award Opportunities
Internal Auditor's Emerging Leaders
Internal Auditor Magazine acknowledges high-performing internal auditors for their dedication and nominate them beginning April 1. Visit InternalAuditor.org and click on the Emerging Leaders nomination button.
Institute Recognition Program
The program is to recgonize IIA institute that reached important milestones. Visit the Institute Recognition Program to nominate an Institute that contributed to the growth of the profession at the local, regional, or global level.
IIA Scholarships
Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Grant
To encourage internal audit studies by doctoral candidates, the Internal Audit Foundation supports an ongoing Doctoral Dissertation Grant Program. This program provides funds to selected doctoral candidates interested in the field of internal auditing. The IIARF offers the Michael J. Barrett Grant as an incentive to future professors who will continue research and education in our profession.
The Larry B. Sawyer Student Scholarship
The annual Larry B. Sawyer Student Scholarship Award from the Internal Audit Foundation is granted to an individual currently enrolled by September 1 in an undergraduate or graduate level program in internal auditing at an Internal Auditing Education Partnership (IAEP) university. The award is based on submission of an original manuscript on a specific topic related to modern internal auditing.
Certification Awards
William S. Smith Award
The William S. Smith Award is named in honor of The IIA's first chairman of the Board of Regents, a former IIA chairman of the board, and a driving force behind the development of the Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) program. Awards are based on individual performance on the core exam parts (parts 1, 2, and 3).
Writing Awards
Ted Keys Award
The Ted Keys Award, named in honor of the late Elmer Theodore Keys, Jr., a long-time regular writer for an Internal Auditor magazine department — is presented each year for the most outstanding article submitted to one of the magazine’s departments. Winning articles are selected for outstanding quality, clear presentation of ideas, practicality, and relevance to the continuing practice of internal auditing.
John B. Thurston Award
The Board of Directors of The Institute established the John B. Thurston Award in March 1952 as a tribute to the memory of its first international president and an eminent authority in the field of internal auditing. The award is made annually to the author of that article published in Internal Auditor that is voted to be the outstanding paper in the field of internal auditing.