There are three qualities necessary for an independent auditor. These are:
- Competence
- Independence and
- Integrity
Competence
Any person who intends to practice as an audit must be thoroughly trained and must prove his/her competence. In Kenya only members of ICPAK are allowed by law to practice as auditors. Members of foreign accounting bodies are also allowed to practice as auditors. For one to practice as auditor,
one required to a member of a recognized accounting body besides being under a registered accountant for at least two years.
Independence
An independent auditor is who cannot give biased opinion. Total independence is likely not to be achieved but independence is important. Independence is the freedom from conditions that threaten the ability of the audit activity to carry out audit responsibilities in an unbiased manner. To achieve the degree of independence necessary to effectively carry out the responsibilities of the audit activity, the chief audit executive has direct and unrestricted access to senior management and the board. This can be achieved through a dual-reporting relationship. Threats to independence must be managed at the individual auditor, engagement, functional, and organizational levels.
Integrity
A person of high integrity is a person who is honest, discrete and tactful.
