Which of the following statements about assurance services for internal auditors is true?

• A. I and II
• B. II only
• C. I, II, and III
• D. None of the above

Answer: (B)

Internal auditors provide assurance services by giving stakeholders an objective, evidence-based conclusion about a subject against established criteria. The essential part of an assurance engagement is independence and objectivity: the auditor must evaluate information without bias, use appropriate criteria, gather sufficient evidence, and issue a conclusion or opinion that enhances confidence in the subject under review. This is different from advisory or consulting work, where the focus is on improvements and recommendations rather than delivering a formal assurance conclusion.

If a statement correctly reflects that assurance engagements must be conducted with independence, rely on evidence, be criteria-based, and culminate in a clear conclusion or opinion, that is the true description. Statements that imply assurance can be provided without independence, or that internal auditors should always merely advise without delivering any assurance conclusion, do not fit the established practice.