Category: Editor’s Blog

Analysis and opinion items from Internal Audit 360’s editors and industry professionals

efficiency in internal audit

Five Steps to Increase Internal Audit Efficiency

GUEST BLOG POST If you are an internal auditor, you know that time is always in short supply. Between regulatory demands, shifting risks, and the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining independence and objectivity, finding ways to be more efficient isn’t just helpful, it is essential. At the Audit Library, we work Read More

May is internal audit awareness month

May Is Internal Audit Awareness Month

Continuing a long-standing tradition that started in the 1990s, the internal audit community is observing “International Internal Audit Awareness Month” this May. During the month, internal auditors around the world share examples of how the profession provides value to organizations, spotlight the profession’s commitment to good governance and risk management, Read More

Internal audit action item follow-up

Some Common Sense on Following Up on Internal Audit Action Items

GUEST BLOG POST There are conflicting views on whether internal audit should follow up on every action item from previous audits. Let me see if I can inject some common sense into the debate. Imagine this is the situation: A year ago, management agreed to a recommendation by internal audit Read More

Some Radical Advice for Writing Better Internal Audit Reports

GUEST BLOG POST: Having read more than 4,000 internal audit reports over the years, I can honestly say I’ve never read a single one I’d wished was longer. Most of the time, I’m wishing it were over halfway through the so-called “executive summary.” Most internal auditors—and others—drafting audit reports completely Read More

Using SPIKES in internal audit communication

Diagnosing Internal Audit Challenges: A Prescription for Tough Conversations

GUEST BLOG POST When I was recently describing my work as an internal auditor to my older brother, a medical doctor, we stumbled upon a striking similarity: both our professions benefit significantly when focusing on Emotional Quotient (EQ) the ability to navigate emotions intelligently—over Intelligence Quotient (IQ), which focuses on Read More

Whom should the CAE report to?

Reporting Lines: Whom Should Internal Audit Leaders Call Boss?

GUEST BLOG POST Internal audit plays a unique role in the modern organization. While its leader, the chief audit executive, is usually part of the executive team, it is also expected to play an oversight role in assuring that functions and processes are performing as they should. That oversight role Read More

Determining What Rises to the Level of an Internal Audit Observation

GUEST BLOG POST During a recent audit, I encountered a conflict with a senior internal audit team member regarding the finalization of an audit observation. This team member was keen to incorporate insights from a market survey and customer feedback into our report, specifically calling out concerns over the company’s Read More

Collaborative internal audit

Constructing a More Collaborative Internal Audit Team

GUEST BLOG POST Internal Audit teams today face mounting pressure to address emerging risks, adapt to rapid technological changes, and meet rising regulatory demands, all while demonstrating audit value with limited resources. One way to meet these challenges is through greater collaboration both within the internal audit team and with Read More