For both assurance and consulting engagements, planning typically occurs after the engagement objectives and scope have already been determined.

The expectations and objectives of an assurance engagement are usually determined by. or in conjunction with, the engagement client

Internal auditors may not need to complete a preliminary risk assessment for a consulting engagement as they would when planning an assurance engagement.

For both consulting and assurance engagements, internal auditors usually form the engagement objectives prior to completing the preliminary risk assessment