Auditing with data: for Performance Auditors and Internal Auditors that use (or want to use) data

This is the final episode of this podcast.  It includes: an explanation - why the podcast is coming to a close. snippets from a selection of prior episodes a brief introduction to Algorithm Integrity Matters - the new Risk Insights podcast. About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (or want to use) data. Hosted by Conor McGarrity and Yusuf Moolla . Prod...

Embracing Internal Audit Evolution: A Conversation with Michael Drechnowicz , Head of Internal Audit at TK Elevator In this episode, Michael shares his insights on the evolution of IA in his role as Head of Internal Audit with a major player in the global elevator and escalator industry.  His work demonstrates a shift from traditional finance-focus towards extensive business process coverage, rang...

Our guest is Cathy O'Neil, author of Weapons of Math Destruction: how big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Cathy joined us to discuss critical aspects for auditors to consider, including: The human element: why understanding 'for whom an algorithm might fail' is more important than the detailed technical design of an algorithm. Algorithm testing: the importance of...

Maarit Widmann is a data scientist at KNIME (www.knime.com) In this episode, we discuss: What KNIME is Why the visual programming paradigm (workflows, rather than code) is appealing to both technical and non-technical professionals The most challenging aspects of the data science lifecycle, and what auditors should be aware of The most important aspects of the data science lifecycle  About this po...

In this episode we discuss the use of the word "analysis" in the context of using data for audits. This is an attempt to define the "analysis phase" - or stop using it as the name of a phase - so that we can better structure our work. This is explored in more depth in our book, here: https://riskinsights.com.au/the-data-confident-internal-auditor About this podcast The podcast...

This episode is a pre-recorded interview with Benji Block for the Author Hour podcast. We discuss our new book, The Data-Confident Internal Auditor. For internal auditors, developing trends in data analysis and data science can feel less like a wealth of information and more like an avalanche. Still, better use of data provides an opportunity to advance your career by adopting new invaluable skill...

In this episode we discuss why and how audit quality is improved when we keep things simple. About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (or want to use) data. Hosted by Conor McGarrity and Yusuf Moolla . Produced by Risk Insights (riskinsights.com.au).

This is the fourth in a series of episodes that focus on performance auditing. In this episode, we discuss five suggestions to help improve the conduct (fieldwork / execution) phase. About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (or want to use) data. Hosted by Conor McGarrity and Yusuf Moolla . Produced by Risk Insights (riskinsights.com.au).

This is the third in a series of episodes that focus on performance auditing. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of adopting a data focused approach during audit planning. About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (or want to use) data. Hosted by Conor McGarrity and Yusuf Moolla . Produced by Risk Insights (riskinsights.com.au).

This is the second of a series of episodes that focus on performance auditing. In this episode, we discuss the importance of balance in your work program - covering each of the four objectives: Effectiveness Efficiency Economy Compliance About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (or want to use) data. Hosted by Conor McGarrity and Yusuf Moolla . Produce...

This is the first of a series of episodes that focus on performance auditing. In this episode, we discuss strategic audit planning (a.k.a. forward work planning). For internal auditors, this is similar to annual (or equivalent) audit planning. Understanding your community / public expectations Understanding your elected body / parliamentarians Understanding the entities within your audit office&ap...

In this episode we discuss three simple ways to improve the data cleansing process - easier, faster and higher quality. Find the optimal data source (e.g., don't use a poorly structured dataset) Cleanse iteratively - you may not need all of the fields/columns Import iteratively - start with a subset of the data and build on that as needed About this podcast The podcast for performance auditor...

In this episode we discuss the use of risk/performance indicators. These can be used by audit teams, risk teams and integrity agencies. For audit teams, they are useful throughout the audit lifecycle - planning / risk assessment, fieldwork / conduct and reporting. We explore why they are useful, what to do and briefly how to get started. About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and...

Christine (performance audit) and Xiaoyan (data analytics) are Directors with ANAO, the Australian National Audit Office. In this episode we discuss: What The Australian National Audit Office (www.anao.gov.au) does The five ways ANAO uses data in its performance audits How performance audit teams work with the central data team Challenges with data preparation The benefits of a strong focus on dat...

Tiina Landau is an internationally recognized sustainability expert and Certified European Financial Analyst (CEFA). She currently works as Sustainability Manager at Neste Corporation, embedding sustainability considerations into new business models and supply chains. She has extensive experience as a speaker in media and seminars and also writes a column in the Finnish financial newspaper Kauppal...

Erica Toelle is a senior product marketing manager on the Microsoft compliance product team, with focus on information governance and records management. Erica is a long-time member of the SharePoint and Microsoft 365 community, a former Microsoft MVP, a published author, and a recognized expert in the information governance area.    In this episode, we discuss Erica's book - Microsoft 365 Co...

Michael DeCero is an Internal Audit Analytics Manager at TDS, a telecommunications company.  In this episode, Michael explains how he helps his audit team use data.    Links:   Towards Data Science (www.linkedin.com/company/towards-data-science)  Michael on LinkedIn   (www.linkedin.com/in/michael-decero-39b95b44/)    About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors tha...

Steve Rummel is a Senior Internal Audit Analytics Manager at CVS Health. In this episode, Steve explains how he helps his audit team use data. About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (or want to use) data. Hosted by Conor McGarrity and Yusuf Moolla . Produced by Risk Insights (riskinsights.com.au).

Ari Levien is an experienced Chief Information Officer who has also played the role of Chief Risk Officer. In this episode we discuss how a CIO (with an understanding of risk) thinks about security and risk.  We also discuss his views of Internal Audit and what good looks like for IA. About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (or want to use) data. Host...

In using data for audits, quality assurance of our work is important. In this episode, we discuss:  1.  The four main QA steps Technical QA  Functional QA  Business QA (validation)  Audit QA  2. Why we need a QA Plan This is explored in more depth in our book, here: https://riskinsights.com.au/the-data-confident-internal-auditor About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal...

In this episode, we discuss FIVE major benefits of investing our time in preparing our data and checking its quality. These include, in reverse order of importance: 1. Exploration during data prep to understand the data 2. Ensure the data is in the right format for analysis 3. Save time by avoiding incorrect conclusions 4. Confidence in the analysis and result 5. Identify important data related im...

Morag (Senior Manager) and Gemma (Director) are Performance Auditors with Audit Scotland. In this episode we discuss how they are using data in their audits, their experience in developing Audit Scotland's data capabilities, collaboration with other audit offices and what the future roadmap looks like.  We also discuss their focus on ensuring their reports meet their audience’s needs, and how...

In this episode, we discuss why it is important to focus on our audit objective when using data analysis in our audit. We explore: Why a focus on the objective helps us measure success Why we should avoid rules based analysis How a focus on the objective helps us stay true to our audit mandate Cost benefit analysis when we find things that are not related to the audit Why a focus on the objective...

Stephen leads the data science team within Performance Audit at VAGO, the Victorian Auditor General's Office.  We discuss: What VAGO does Stephen's approach to helping auditors use data Why it's important for all performance auditors to have data skills How VAGO has used open data to improve transparency You can reach out to Stephen via LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/smcateer). Links...

Taka is the inaugural Chief Data Scientist at the US Government Accountability Office .   He also leads the GAO's Innovation Lab.  We discuss: What the GAO does How data science is helping GAO Innovation and experimentation at GAO Machine learning assurance You can reach out to Taka via the GAO website . About this podcast The podcast for performance auditors and internal auditors that use (o...