Which internal group is usually referred to as the audit committee and may perform the audit?

• A. Finance Committee
• B. Audit Committee
• C. Governance Committee
• D. Compliance Committee

Answer: (B)

The key idea is who is responsible for overseeing audits within an organization. The group that fits this role is the audit committee. Its main job is to oversee financial reporting, monitor internal controls, and supervise compliance and risk management. In some organizations, the audit committee may even perform internal audit tasks themselves, especially if there isn’t a separate internal audit function or in smaller organizations. More often, they hire and coordinate with internal and external auditors and review their findings to protect the integrity of financial statements and ensure independence.

The other committees serve different purposes: the finance committee focuses on budgeting and financial planning, the governance committee handles board processes and policies, and the compliance committee ensures adherence to laws and organizational rules. None of these are the group typically charged with audit oversight, which is why the audit committee is the best fit.