The AHIA Founders Award: This award is reserved for any AHIA member(s) who have gone above the normal call of duty and served AHIA in some capacity for at least 6 years. A candidate must have had a role in a strategic initiative of AHIA within the past 4 years and must have served as a member of the AHIA Board, Board Committee, or Subcommittee of the Board for at least 2 years. AHIA Board members are not eligible until 2 years following the end of their term. Members presented with this award are those who are dedicated to the profession and, at least at the time of their award, believed that they would always be in the internal audit profession. This is the Association's highest and most prestigious award. These members represent the AHIA "Hall of Fame."

• 2018 - Linda Greer
• 2017 - No Recipient
• 2016 - Michael Fabrizius
• 2015 - No Recipient
• 2014 - Mark Eddy
• 2013 - No Recipient
• 2012 - Debi Weatherford
• 2011 - No Recipient
• 2010 - Glen Mueller
• 2009 - No Recipient
• 2008 - Bob McMillian
• 2007 - Ken Spence
• 2006 - No Recipient
• 2005 - Debra Keppler and Mark Ruppert
• 2004 - William Mulcahy
• 2003 - Daniel E. Ellis
• 2002 - Mark Conrad Ledman
• 2001 - Charles Eysmann
• 2000 - Judy Cullen and John Landreth
• 1999 - Gregory M. Clark
• 1998 - Lawrence Bogusz
• 1997 - Mary Jane McCluskey
• 1996 - Thomas K. Boyle
• 1995 - Judith B. Armstrong and G. Randolph Just
• 1994 - Peter M. Eimen
• 1993 - No Recipient
• 1992 - Ina Loewenberg
• 1991 - Robert K. Page-Adams
• 1990 - Gary K. Flaming
• 1989 - David H. Tucker
• 1988 - Raymond R. Hebert
• 1987 - Donald W. Holdegraver and Anthony C. Marek
• 1986 - James E. Bolinger*, William G. Sites* and William L. Werner*

*AHIA founders