2019

January 13, 2019

Internal Auditors: If You See Something, Say Something

Last week, my blog post “5 Internal Auditor Resolutions for 2019” included an important point that is familiar to most in a far different context, but also for our profession: “If You See Something, Say Something.” Typically used regarding potential threats to public safety, the slogan has played an important — albeit sometimes controversial — role in thwarting bombings and other terror attacks, according to media reports.

At first glance, “See Something, Say Something” might not seem to be an internal audit issue. But the concept applies to situations internal auditors face every day. We often see problems and report on them during audits, but “See Something, Say Something” also applies to issues that may not be in the scope of an audit.…

January 7, 2019

​5 Internal Auditor Resolutions for 2019

In many English-speaking nations, there’s a tradition of singing “Auld Lang Syne” as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day. Based on a 1788 poem by Robert Burns, the song is used as a farewell to the old year in great anticipation of the new one.

My tradition is not to stumble through a nostalgic refrain of, “we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne,”but instead to suggest some resolutions that all internal auditors should contemplate for the coming year. Indeed, I’ve offered five such resolutions at the start of each year for about as long as I’ve penned this blog, which celebrates 10 years next month.…