An internal audit activity is planning its first audit of IT shared services.

When planning the first audit of IT shared services, it is typical to evaluate entity-level controls first. Entity-level controls are overarching controls that affect the entire organization and are foundational for ensuring that specific application and transaction controls operate effectively. These controls include the organization's governance, risk management processes, and the overall control environment. Assessing entity-level controls provides a broad understanding of the control environment and highlights any pervasive issues that might impact more detailed areas of the audit.References: The IIA's Global Technology Audit Guide (GTAG) and COSO's Internal Control - Integrated Framework.