Purpose
Internal Audit is charged with promoting good governance by evaluating the internal controls and efficiency and effectiveness of the City of Pasadena. This includes auditing the performance and financial integrity of City departments, evaluating internal controls over programs and processes, and promoting efficient government through a variety of special projects and initiatives.
Internal Audit is also responsible for managing the City’s Fraud Hotline, which receives and tracks complaints related to fraud, waste and abuse within the City of Pasadena.
Vision
The City’s Internal Audit division is the business intelligence arm that provides accurate, complete, highly reliable, risk-based, timely, and objective assurance, advice, insight, and foresight to City Management and the Audit Committee to assist in making data-informed decisions.
Internal Audit Team
Ani Antanesyan, CIA
Internal Audit Manager
AAntanesyan@cityofpasadena.net | 626-744-4543
Ani joined the Internal Audit Division in June 2025. Prior to joining the City, Ani worked for the City of Glendale Internal Audit Division, the City of San Jose City Auditor’s Office, and the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C.
Ani has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. When she is not improving City operations, Ani enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.
Steven Andersen, CIA, CISA, PMP
Senior Internal Auditor
SAndersen@cityofpasadena.net | 626-744-4258
Steven joined the Internal Audit Division in May 2024. Prior to joining the City, Steven worked for Ruiz Foods’ (El Monterey frozen foods) Internal Audit Division in Dinuba, CA. Before that, he worked at MGO, a CPA and consulting firm, in Sacramento. In addition, Steven worked as a Project Manager at multiple locations with HP.
Steven holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a Master’s in Management from Northwestern University. While he’s not focused on auditing and other City improvements, Steven likes hiking with his yellow Labrador, reading, and spending time with his extended family, including his many grandchildren.
Internal Audit Plans
An audit plan outlines the areas of the City’s operations that Internal Audit intends to review during a specific period, typically one fiscal year. It is developed using a risk‑based approach, ensuring that resources are focused on the programs, processes, and activities that have the greatest impact on the City’s effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. The audit plan serves as a roadmap for upcoming audits and provides transparency to City leadership and the public about Internal Audit’s priorities and planned work.
Internal Audit Framework
The City of Pasadena’s Internal Audit Framework establishes the authority, responsibilities, and structure of the Internal Audit function. It defines the division’s purpose, scope, independence, and commitment to quality, outlining how Internal Audit provides risk‑based assurance and advisory services to support effective governance and improve City operations.
Internal Audit Strategy
The Internal Audit Strategy complements the Framework by setting forth the division’s vision and multi‑year strategic objectives. It describes the initiatives that will guide the evolution of Internal Audit over the coming years, including expanding data analytics capabilities, modernizing reporting, enhancing collaboration across departments, and fostering a high‑performing audit team aligned with the City’s strategic goals.
Peer Review
Professional auditing standards require audit organizations to undergo an external peer review at least once every five years by a qualified, independent reviewer or review team. This assessment is crucial for ensuring that the internal audit function meets professional auditing standards. This review provides a local government assurance that the internal audit function is following audit standards and that their quality control system is suitably designed to ensure audit standards are met. The review also evaluates the independence and qualifications of the internal audit team, that the required training hours are being met, and that the audit and assurance engagements follow established standards.
Based on the results of the last review, which occurred on September 2, 2022, the reviewers found that the Internal Audit’s internal quality control system was suitably designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance with the auditing standards for assurance and consulting engagements during the period of July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2021.