Conceptual innovation in the purpose of internal auditing under the global internal audit standards (2025) and its implications for organizational governance

Abstract

Contemporary transformations within the international internal auditing framework increasingly emphasize governance efficiency, institutional responsibility, and sustainable managerial development. The adoption of the Global Internal Audit Standards reflects the increasing strategic integration of internal auditing within modern governance systems and highlights the growing importance of this function in supporting managerial coordination, institutional accountability, and organizational sustainability. This development generates the necessity to examine how the contemporary professional framework redefines the positioning, responsibilities, and strategic contribution of internal auditing within modern organizations. In this regard, particular attention is directed toward understanding how the revised formulation of the purpose of internal auditing influences governance strengthening and the broader perception of the internal audit function. The aim of the research is to analyze the conceptual innovation in the purpose of internal auditing introduced by the Global Internal Audit Standards (2025) and to assess its implications for organizational governance. The research is based on documentary analysis of the international regulatory framework in the field of internal auditing, using methods of conceptual analysis, comparison, and interpretation of the evolution of professional standards. The findings suggest that the contemporary professional framework considerably expands the understanding of internal auditing beyond traditional compliance-related activities, positioning this function as an important component of governance effectiveness, adaptive risk responsiveness, and long-term institutional development. In the context of the ongoing evolution of the internal auditing profession in the Republic of Moldova, this professional reorientation may support a clearer understanding of the contribution of internal auditing to accountability, managerial transparency, and the improvement of governance practices within the public sector