Category: Articles

Usint forensic analytics

Internal Audit Still Lags in Use of Data Analytics

GUEST BLOG These are difficult days for many companies. Recent developments, including the economic downturn and other problems stemming from the coronavirus crisis, threaten the very existence of businesses across several industries, from airlines to retail, to manufacturing. With so much uncertainty and disarray, corporate boards and senior executives are Read More

audit reports

Death of the Audit Report: It’s Time to Reconsider How to Convey Internal Audit Findings

Does anyone really enjoy any aspect of internal audit reports? Raise your virtual hand if you like drafting them, editing them, issuing them, or even reading them? It is likely there are very few, if any, hands raised. Anyone who has authored, edited, or received an audit report would probably Read More

BDO: Boards Increasing Financial Disclosures in 2020

Public companies’ board members are focusing more this year on the communication and transparency of financial reporting and disclosures, the new 2020 Board Pulse Survey from BDO reports. Of the 280 public company board members surveyed, 73 percent say they have increased disclosures around new and emerging risks to their Read More

Austin Audit Finds Employee Stole $1.3 Million in Supplies

The Austin, Texas, Office of the City Auditor uncovered a $1.3 million theft scheme conducted by its former director of libraries, who used his city credit card to purchase printer toner and resell it online, the Austin Monitor reports. The employee also purchased electronics and home goods for his personal Read More

Whistleblower hotlines

Internal Audit’s Role in Assuring Whistleblower Hotlines Are Effective

When it comes to preventing or detecting fraud, whistleblower hotlines remain among the best protection money can buy. They can also be an important tool for internal auditors to assess fraud risk and provide information that can increase the quality of audits and should be assessed on a regular basis. Read More

Professional Skepticism

Professional Skepticism Essential in Avoiding and Detecting Fraud

Professional skepticism by auditors, finance professionals, and all participants in the financial reporting supply chain is crucial for the deterrence and detection of fraud, a new report from the Anti-Fraud Collaboration says. Organizations must critically assess potential fraud risks and be aware of potential biases that can lead to criminal Read More

Digital Transformation

Internal Audit Teams Embracing Digital Transformation

Despite global uncertainty, internal audit leaders believe their teams are well-positioned to weather the challenges presented by COVID-19 and help their organizations embrace digital transformation, according to a new report from Protiviti. Organizations whose internal audit functions had already implemented new technologies, tools, and methodologies before the onset of the Read More

Sills Gap

Do You Have a Skills Gap? Avoid These Co-Sourcing Pitfalls

Internal audit professional standards require each department to establish a risk-based internal audit plan. When focusing on the highest organizational risks, however, they are often likely to find a gap in the talents and skills needed to execute that plan. Although it may be tempting, ignoring risk-based audit projects when Read More

Cybersecurity risk

Cybersecurity Again Tops Chartered IIA’s Risk in Focus Survey

Amidst a wide range of challenges in 2020, including a global pandemic and social unrest, cybersecurity and data security risks remain top-of-mind for chief audit executives and audit committee members in Europe, the annual Risk in Focus survey from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) finds. For the third Read More