April 2009

April 22, 2009

It’s Not Business as Usual for Big Internal Audit Departments

There are very few people and few organizations that haven’t yet been touched directly or indirectly by the troubled economy. Everywhere we turn, individuals and organizations are making adjustments — tightening here, cutting there, and paying closer attention to how resources are being spent. Just a look at this week’s headlines gives you a good indication that everyone’s watching their step. What a perfect opportunity for our profession to step up to the plate to lead the charge in asking, “How do we adapt?” ​

To capture in-depth and qualitative analysis of these opportunities and how the internal audit profession can be of utmost value in this changing environment, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) pulled together chief audit executives (CAEs) from some of the largest companies — primarily Fortune 100 companies, as well as several from the Fortune 250 — and representatives from internal audit service providers, the U.S.…

April 2, 2009

The Unsung Heroes of the Internal Audit Profession

The vastness of our profession has never ceased to amaze me. It is estimated there are more than one million internal auditors in the world. Our colleagues work tirelessly in every sector and industry imaginable to provide assurance on the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. In the vast majority of instances, our work is appreciated and lauded for the value it brings. However, with an alarming frequency, it seems that some of our colleagues who audit local government operations are waging an uphill battle against formidable political forces.

Government has always been a challenging place to audit. It is often argued that government can only be effective if it “maintains the public trust.”…