When can a new audit department use the statement “conducted in conformance with the standards? In conformance with the standards?

Internal auditors may use the statement only if assessments of the quality improvement program demonstrate that the internal audit activity is in conformance with the Standards. An internal auditing activity must demonstrate conformance with the Standards before it can state that it is in conformance with the Standards. The Standards requires that the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) develop and maintain a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) that covers all aspects of the internal audit activity and continuously monitors its effectiveness. The CAE of a new internal auditing activity can authorize the use of the statement, "Conducted in Conformance with the Standards,” when supported by sufficient evidence from QAIP internal assessments. While an external quality assessment must be performed within five years of a new department's existence, the conformance statement can be used after at least one year's internal assessments indicate sufficient evidence exists that the audit function is indeed compliant with the Standards.