Internal Audit System

Internal audit by the independent Internal Audit Division

The Internal Audit Division is independent from operating divisions in the head office. The division contributes to the sound and proper conduct of the Bank's operations by inspecting and assessing the Bank's operational execution and internal control systems. In this way, the Bank collects important information about the operations of audited divisions in a timely and appropriate manner.
The Internal Audit Division formulates an annual Internal Audit Plan based on the Bank's Basic Policy on Internal Auditing*, etc.
During formulation of the Plan, the Division must first provide an explanation to the Audit Committee regarding the Plan draft, the risk assessment that serves as the basis for this proposal, the core audit items, and the human resources plan. Following this, it must obtain consent for the Plan from the Committee before receiving the approval of the President and Representative Executive Officer and reporting to the Board of Directors.
Moreover, in accordance with the Plan, the Internal Audit Division conducts audits of the head office divisions, Regional Headquarters, Branches, Administration Service Centers, Operation Support Centers, Seal Card Management Center, ATM Management Centers, Data Centers, Credit Card Collection Service Center and other work sites. Through these audits, the division verifies the appropriateness and effectiveness of operational execution and internal control systems, including compliance and risk management. In addition, the Internal Audit Division audits annually JAPAN POST, which undertakes bank agency services under contract. In these audits, the Internal Audit Division verifies the appropriateness of the internal control systems that are related to bank agency operations, including compliance and risk management.
In regard to major issues that are found in an audit, the Division offers recommendations for correction or improvement. At the same time, the Division directly reports on the status of internal audit progress, the results of audits, and the progress of corrective or improvement measures in the audited departments to the President and Representative Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee.
In order to enhance its independency and objectivity,the Internal Audit Division obtains consent for important human resources changes from the Audit Committee.  Additionally, the status of the execution of duties and responsibilities, audit methods, human resource development, and the content and implementation status of measures for the continuous enhancement and strengthening of internal audit are reported to the Audit Committee. The status of improvements to, as well as operation of, internal audit abilities is reviewed and assessed by the Audit Committee.

*:

The standards for the professional practice of internal auditing under the Bank's Basic Policy on Internal Auditing comply with the basic concept of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors(IIA).

Related Information

Basic Policy on Internal Auditing

Internal Audit System

Furthermore, JAPAN POST GROUP has established and improves the Internal Audit System based on the Japan Post Group Agreement, etc.