February 2010

February 22, 2010

Is This the First Defining Event of the New Decade?

At the end of December, I offered my opinion on the five defining events of the p​ast decade for our profession. These types of lists are often best drawn up with the benefit of hindsight. After all, it is easy to get caught up and start offering hyperbole about virtually any event that happens.  However, there are ​some events that are obviously “game changers.” One such event may just have occurred for our profession.​

Last week, The Queen of England granted “chartered” status for the Institute of Internal Auditors U.K. and Ireland (IIA–U.K. & Ireland). On October 1 of this year, one of the most respected IIA institutes in the world is set to become the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors.…

February 11, 2010

Sometimes Life Takes Us Full Circle

Call me sentimental, but I’ve always found it intriguing when twists of fate take people “full circle,” and reconnect them with an event or a milestone earlier in their life. Today I am having one of those experiences myself.

When I graduated with my accounting degree from Georgia State University (GSU) in 1975, I immediately assumed my first internal audit assignment with Trust Company Bank in Atlanta. Over the years, I’ve taught university courses and delivered lectures and presentations on the internal audit profession around the world. And despite the fulfillment derived from delivering these presentations, there has always been a faint longing to give back to my alma mater for the professional opportunities my education there afforded me.…

February 8, 2010

Internal Audit Imperatives for the Decade Ahead

In late December, I wrote about the five events that defined the past decade for internal auditors. It is too speculative (and far too early) to predict any defining events for the next decade. However, I do have some views on key imperatives that internal auditors must pursue if we are to build on the success we enjoyed during the past 10 years.

The IIA’s Global Board of Directors recently updated The Institute’s five-year strategic plan. Included in the plan is a preferred milestone that internal auditing be “universally recognized as a profession” by 2014. No one is debating how far we have come as a profession.…