The Bachelor of Science in Internal Auditing (BSIA) is a four-year program which provides general accounting education to learners wanting to pursue a professional career in Internal Auditing. The program develops internal auditing professionals who are steeped in the FEU core values, namely: Fortitude, Excellence, and Uprightness. BSIA is a balanced mix of general education, business and professional courses aimed at developing not only a competent professional but a morally upright citizen of the Philippines and of the world.
BSIA complies with the latest competency framework for professional accountants issued by the Internal federation of Accountants (IFAC) thru their International Education Standards and the global internal auditing standards. Furthermore, Internal Auditing is a profession that enhances and protects organizational value by providing stakeholders with risk-based, objective and reliable assurance, advice and insight. It is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
Students under the BSIA program must complete a
total of 4,272 hours of coursework inclusive of 600 hours of internship in
auditing and accounting firms and other accredited business firms. They are
also required to perform internal auditing research work and feasibility
studies, among other assessments.
BSIA graduates are qualified to take certification
assessments from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) – a global professional
internal auditing organization.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
(ACCA) has recognized and accredited the FEU BSIA program for integrating into
our syllabi the topics required to pass their international certification. The ACCA
has also recognized FEU as its first university partner in establishing their
Computer Based Examination (CBE) testing centers in the Philippines.
Additionally,
the BSBA – Internal Auditing (under the old curriculum) program has achieved
Level IV accreditation status under the Philippine Association of Colleges and
Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) since 2015.
The program welcomes all interested students from any senior high school track provided they reach the required minimum score for BS Internal Auditing in the FEU College Admission Test (FEUCAT). All incoming first year students must adhere to the University’s admission requirements as prescribed by the Admission and Financial Assistance Office.
Click or tap on the following sections for more information about this program.
In its
quest to achieve Center of Excellence in internal auditing education, the BSIA
program aims to continuously develop and transform students into becoming
relevant internal auditing and business professionals who can contribute to
changes in building strong business organizations.
BSIA
also adheres with the prescribed objectives for internal auditing education, as
indicated in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) memorandum order (CMO)
no. 29, series of 2017. Under this mandate, the BSIA program guided by the core
values of Fortitude, Excellence and Uprightness, is committed to:
Produce competent and ethical professional internal auditors who develop an attitude of lifelong learning;
Prepare the students for the Certified Internal Auditors (CIA) designation, a global certifications; and
Assure students of the opportunities for employment in various businesses, including government agencies by strengthening industry partnerships and linkages.
A graduate of the BS Internal Auditing program is expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:
Resolve business issues and problems, with a global and strategic perspective using knowledge and technical proficiency in the areas of internal auditing, financial accounting and reporting, cost accounting and management, management accounting and control, taxation, law and accounting / auditing information systems with integrity, objectivity and competence;
Prepare financial statements and other-related reports in accordance with applicable accounting and auditing standards, taxation, and business laws;
Conduct internal auditing research through independent studies of relevant literature and appropriate use of internal auditing theory and methodologies;
Develop a strategic business plan using the management concepts and principles holistically;
Employ technology as a business tool in capturing financial and non-financial information, generating reports, and making decisions;
Interpret the business environment through various financial and management analysis;
Evaluate accounting-related topics and contemporary issues through written inquiry and investigation;
Apply relevant auditing standards to financial statements audit for reliable communication of results to stakeholders;
Confidently maintain a commitment to good corporate citizenship, social responsibility, and ethical practice in performing functions as an internal auditor;
Prepare income tax returns and other business documents in compliance with regulatory requirements;
Apply knowledge and skills that will successfully respond to various types of assessments (including professional licensure tests and certifications);
Demonstrate leadership and interpersonal skills through collaborative work;
Communicate effectively in a variety of domain including writing, speaking, listening, and reading in the context of accounting and business;
Adapt to changing environment by responding positively to challenges; and
Manifest the FEU core values of Fortitude, Excellence and Uprightness.
The career path in the internal auditing profession
is charted first upon earning your degree, and second upon passing the Certified
Internal Auditors (CIA) examination. This marks your entry point to the world
of professional internal auditing.
While many internal auditors begin in entry-level positions immediately after completing their bachelor’s degrees, others obtain positions after gaining professional experience working in external audit firms or in accounting. With several years of experience, junior internal auditors can advance to more senior positions, handling complex audit assignments from the planning stages to the final reporting stages.
Senior internal auditors may supervise and lead audit teams to
complete audit projects. Top performers in large internal audit departments can
move into managerial roles directing the activities of the department,
supervising department performance and communicating audit results to the
relevant authorities in the organization.
Indeed, an internal auditing career provides unlimited options and opportunities:
Auditors gain experience in all aspects of an organization, as work exposes them to various areas in the operation and different levels;
Auditing entails respected, rewarding and diverse work;
Auditing work often comes with excellent benefits and compensation;
Auditors are given career advancement opportunities and fast-track to management positions; and
Auditing provides travel and networking opportunities.
Some major industries for internal auditors include manufacturing, utilities, banking and financial services, insurance, hospitals and other health care entities, and e-commerce.
Meanwhile, the internal auditing field also has different areas of practice and specialization, such as: public and private auditing practice, taxation, management consultancy, industry and commerce, among others. Internal auditors may also engage in in accounting education.
Following are some notable career options for internal
auditing graduates:
Junior internal auditor
Lead / senior internal auditor
Internal audit supervisor / manager
Operations auditor
Junior IT auditor
Fraud examiner
Forensic auditor
Compliance auditor
Financial auditor
Chief audit executive
Vice president for corporate internal auditing
Chairman of audit committee
Risk associate – risk management officer
Independent validator – balance scorecard
Internal audit analyst
The BSIA program uses varied approaches in
accountancy and internal auditing education, adapting to the needs of our
students and the demands of the changing global work environment in the
accounting profession. This allows the program to stay competitive and relevant
in the field.
Program Curriculum
Following the mandate of CHED, the 2018 BS Internal
Auditing curriculum is now offered as a four-year program.
General Education (GE) courses comprise most of the
required units during the first two years of the program. These are university-wide
courses intended to develop the students’ key academic skills and competencies
such as persuasive communication, analytic and creative thinking. The
University upholds that developing such basic competencies helps prepare
students towards becoming independent learners as they progress in their
respective programs and eventually, their careers.
Alongside their GE courses, BSIA students must also
undertake basic professional accountancy courses, including Financial
Accounting and Reporting (ACT1101), which covers fundamental accounting
principles and Conceptual Framework and Accounting Standards (ACT1102), which
discusses the new accounting conceptual frameworks and standards. These courses
serve as the basis for the content of the qualifying examinations which are
held at the end of the first the program. Students who will pass the qualifying
examinations will be admitted to BSA program as second year level.
Afterward, students are required to perform internal
auditing research works and feasibility studies and undertake 600-hour
supervised apprenticeship training in various auditing and accounting firms and
other accredited business firms.
Students are also trained to become well-rounded, socially and morally responsible citizens through the National Service Training Program (NSTP) and the Wellness and Recreation Program (WRP) of the University. Under WRP, students can choose to attend a diverse array of short courses intended to develop their physiological and emotional well-being as well as their sense of belonging in the community and their social responsibility.
The BSIA program maintains certain academic
standards to monitor the students’ progress throughout their stay in the
program and ensure that they are adequately prepared for higher professional
courses. Ultimately, the program aspires to produce outstanding, ethical
accounting professionals.
Retention in BSIA includes meeting the program QPA
requirements for each year level.
Teaching-Learning Approaches
Instruction in the BSIA program integrates the use
of reference materials, textbooks and online resources carefully selected by
the Institute’s Faculty Library Committee. These include globally recognized
accountancy education references such as SAP, Bloomberg, and Thomson Reuters.
Beyond industry-standard materials, the BSIA program takes pride in its use of multiple teaching-learning approaches catering to students’ needs and empowering them as independent learners and outstanding accounting professionals in the future. These approaches include:
Student-centered learning
Following the University’s educational philosophy and learning paradigm, the BSIA program utilizes methods which encourage active and collaborative learning engagements between the students and the teachers. Through dynamic activities and tasks, students are empowered to take responsibility for their own learning rather than become passive recipients of information in the classroom.
Didactic approach
Fundamental knowledge in accounting and internal auditing concepts, principles, and laws are taught through a mix of discussions and lectures.
Interdisciplinary approach
The BSIA program equips students with the ability to see the various aspects of professional accounting practice through multidisciplinary lenses and perspectives. This, together with their liberal GE courses in the field of arts, humanities and social sciences, encourage well-rounded development for our students.
Blended learning
BSIA integrates and utilizes various learning management systems (LMSs) to expose students to real conditions in the accounting industry. In recognition of technological advancements in accounting practice and shifts in the workplace, the program facilitates ubiquitous learning in some courses through online virtual classrooms, online modules and web resources. The program primarily uses Canvas, the official LMS of the University and a globally recognized platform among leading educational institutions worldwide.
Research-based approach
Students are encouraged to conduct accounting research work, while professional courses also utilize research-based materials such as case studies and feasibility studies to ensure the delivery of updated information about current industry standards and practices.
Assessment and Research Work
Throughout the program, students
and teachers freely negotiate their assessments and assessment-related tasks
for each course. As most of the department are field practitioners and licensed
public accountants, teachers are encouraged to use their industrial experience
to develop relevant formative and capstone summative assessments.
Assessments are a combination of traditional pen-and-paper tests, practical examinations, research work and performance-based tasks. These include quizzes and summative tests, reports and presentations, case analyses, research-based writing, and peer assessments.
Internship
Students cannot complete the
program without undertaking internship (6 units) in the form of a 600-hour
apprenticeship in an accounting or auditing firm under a tri-lateral contract
signed by the student, the University, and the firm. Internship is scheduled
during the final semester of the program and provides students with the
opportunity to acquire supervised work experience in their chosen field of
specialization.
During internship, BSIA students are expected to refine their accounting skills and discipline-based competencies as they also enhance their professional portfolio. At the end of the internship engagement, the employer firm and the student accomplish their internship assessment forms for feedback purposes. The students are also required to attend scheduled seminars and write daily a report of their daily activities which serves as basis for evaluation and credit for the course.
Learners must complete a total of 4,272 hours of coursework, which includes 600 hours of internship. They also must have a minimum quality point average (QPA) of 2.4 by the end of the program.
