An internal auditor has received negative feedback regarding the auditor’s lack of general knowledge about...

The most appropriate response is to establish a structured professional development plan with the chief audit executive. A development plan can identify the specific business-acumen gaps, establish measurable learning objectives, and select appropriate activities such as training, rotational assignments, mentoring, industry research, or exposure to organizational operations. Simply performing engagements in accordance with the Standards does not directly address inadequate organizational knowledge. External courses may be useful, but they should be selected as part of a broader development strategy rather than pursued without identifying the exact competency gap. A temporary business assignment may also help, but it is only one possible developmental method. Effective professional development should be tailored to the auditor’s assessed competencies and the requirements of the internal audit function. Therefore, option A provides the most comprehensive response.