I want you to think back to that one friend who was always honest with you. You know the one. While you were prancing around showing off that new dress or suit, they quietly told you it was too little. When you said something mean in a meeting and everyone else was afraid to speak […]
Boards Must Do Better – The Undermining of Internal Audit Read More »
It started in 2005. I was the director of Sarbanes Oxley and Internal Controls Assurance for a financial institution. As a budding banking professional, I had climbed the ranks and could foresee a future in banking. That is, until the recession. The financial institution was failing. Shortly before it collapsed, I found a job as
That Time I was a Terrible Trusted Advisor Read More »
I felt like a literary loser back in middle and high school. It wasn’t that I failed English class, it’s just that it didn’t inspire me. I remember being given assignments that, in my mind, seemed easy. Read a book. Write a report. Explain the theme, plot, characters, and lessons learned. A pretty simple task.
One Tip to Test the Readability of Your Audit Reports Read More »
“Social media is the biggest risk your organization faces.” This is how I started a presentation at the Institute of Internal Auditors, Pensacola, Florida chapter meeting. At that moment I felt like I was on the Gong Show, Showtime at the Apollo, American Idol, or any other show where people judge you based on their
Are you auditing your biggest reputation risks? Read More »
Internal Audit documentation can become evidence in an investigation at a moment’s notice. Work performed years ago can once again become relevant based on new information. As a result, all audit work papers should be accurate and complete. And while the standards needed to perform an investigation are similar to those for internal audit engagements,
The Importance of Audit Workpapers Read More »
There’s nothing more exciting than finally achieving that goal. You know the one. You’ve spent years training for it. Imagine the quarterback leading his team to victory in the Superbowl, or a tennis player finally winning Wimbledon, or a golfer taking the top spot at the Masters. Well, that’s exactly how my buddy John felt
The Significance of CPEs – Your guide to finding and tracking CPE Read More »
The world is currently facing a pandemic that has the potential to be one of the worst of the century. Our risk management strategies are being put to the test. Some countries have gone into complete lockdown. Companies are requiring workers to work from home. As days pass, each organization and geographic location learns valuable
Risk Response Done Right Read More »
Have you ever had one of those days where you were determined to write that audit report? So you block off the time on your calendar, go into your office, shut the door, remove any and all distractions and breathe. Because now is the time to take all of those thoughts and perfect phrases running
3 tools for faster audit report writing Read More »
This was the titled I pitched to the IIA in 2012 for an article discussing providing an opinion on the work we perform. Internal Auditors are assurance providers. We evaluate organizations on behalf of stakeholders. At some point, we should be able to tell them whether or not the organization is operating effectively and efficiently.
Audit Projects Without Opinions Are Pointless Read More »
No matter how good your product or service, an organization’s reputation can be ruined with the click of a keyboard. Auditors talk a lot about risk, but I wonder how many of us are actively reviewing items impacting our company’s reputation. Your Reputation Can Be Ruined with the Click of a Keyboard Several years ago,
Are You Auditing Risks That Matter – Auditing Risk Before Your Reputation is Ruined Read More »