AUDIT 15 FUN

What is better than an AUDIT DUEL? An AUDIT TRUEL! What an instant classic with David Hill, Renato Trisciuzzi, and Tracie Marquardt, as they debated better ways to communicate audit results. What is your strategic communication plan? Can we just use a dynamic dashboard instead of audit reports? Why do we need the audit reports in the first place? Why can’t we let go of these ‘audit traditions’? Th...

Is artificial intelligence overhyped? In this AUDIT DUEL, Alex Ruehle, CEO of zapliance, and Darren Roberts, Technology and Digital Director at SWAP Internal Audit Services, debate the issue. Alex says that we can't leave AI to the data geeks and IT auditors, and must embrace the technology so that we are not left behind, while Darren questions what the "A" in AI really stands for, augmented or ar...

A large retailer in Brazil recently had a $4 billion "accounting inconsistency." What happened? Was it fraud or an accounting error? If it was a fraud, should the auditors be responsible for it? These were the questions answered by Marcelo Almeida, host of the Voice of Integrity podcast. Marcelo's website: https://compliancebsb.com.br/

Feedback episode. How can you engage with the podcast? There are four ways: 1) Take part as a guest, in short 15 minute-interviews (most of the time). 2) Take part in the AUDIT DUEL segment. Do you have a controversial, non-conformist idea to debate and share with the Internal Audit community? I want to hear from you. 3) Take part in the AUDIT FAIL segment. Do you have a failure experience you can...

Why do auditors get blamed so much for fraud and is that fair? What is the best free fraud detection tool? What are some other resources auditors should use? These were some questions answered by Haddon Fields. He is the Special Investigations Trainer with The PsyFIN Group which focuses on training investigators, auditors and other investigative personnel in innovative means of investigation, frau...

Why do auditors need to do a better job of marketing themselves? If you had 20 seconds to pitch Internal Audit to Elon Musk, what would your pitch be? If you were asked to create a short internal audit slogan, what would it be? These were the questions answered by Charles Schrock, publisher of the Audit Explainer website, and retired CAE. Follow him for some of the most fantastical internal audit...

The second episode of 2023, and the second episode of the AUDIT FAIL series. Auditors are taught not to trust. Trust but verify, right? But how about your co-worker? Should you fully trust that person? In this episode, Abbas Al Lawait, Head of Audit at OQ8 in Oman, discusses the risks of 'blind trust'. Don't trust me? Listen in to find out.

The first episode of 2023, and the first episode of the AUDIT FAIL series. Perhaps as important as setting goals for 2023 is to reflect on lessons from the past. Reflection builds resilience and wisdom. Robert shared some of the lessons he learned from a high-conflict situation where an audit client he worked with left a note on his desk. What did the note say? What was Robert's reaction? Listen i...

Do CPEs lead to new skills? If a doctor or a teacher does not keep up with current practices and knowledge, they get instant 'customer' feedback, but does the same happen with internal auditors? That was one of the many questions raised during the duel by Nicola. Jamie proposed that with the right experts, content, and platform, CPEs add value. What do you think?

In this episode, I spoke with David Hill, CEO of SWAP Internal Audit Services, about non-financial audits. David explained why auditors should care more about non-financial audits, some skills required for non-financial auditors, and what audit leaders can do to better equip their teams. What transferable skills can a firefighter, pub landlord, or archaeologist bring to the internal audit professi...

Should auditors provide an opinion on engagements or is there a risk to it? How about ratings? Do they help or hurt? In this AUDIT DUEL, Richard Chambers, former CEO and President of the IIA, and Norman Marks, former Chief Audit Executive, debate the issue. Richard thinks that "internal auditors must exercise caution whenever assigning opinions" and that "audit leaders must be as diplomatic and co...

In this episode, I interviewed Adefisayo Adefarakan, CEO and Managing Partner of Pharakan & Associates to talk about Quality Assessment Reviews (QARs). Adefisayo covered why Internal Auditors should care about QARs, other than because it’s an IIA requirement, and also discussed some of our blind spots and quick-wins he has learned in performing QARs. I hope you enjoy it! His website: https://w...

In this episode, I spoke with Vuyo Gwayi about common Internal Audit misconceptions. Vuyo also shared how she would explain Internal Audit to a group of 4-year-olds, and how she would respond if the CFO of a company asked her to "hire more external auditors to your internal audit team." Listen in to find out what she had to say!

In this episode, I spoke with Tina D’Souza, Internal Audit Manager at RBC. Tina shared resume and career-building tips for internal auditors. It is all about being proactive and taking ownership of your career. As Tina mentioned, be relentless and find your allies . As an African proverb says: “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”

In this episode, I spoke with Amanda “Jo” Erven about Total Quality Auditing. Jo discussed how one of internal audit’s goals should be to do fewer audits.  Identifying errors after the fact? Too late. She also had excellent points on how internal auditors can do work that really adds value and eliminates waste. Listen in to find out more! Her website: https://www.auditconsultingeducation.com/...

In this episode, I spoke with Emmanuel Johannes, Chairman of the Board of the African Federation of Institutes of Internal Auditors, and CEO of Kepler Associates. Emmanuel shared lessons learned when he was not in audit regarding practical findings and a 'moment of truth' in his career. Lastly, Emmanuel defined an effective finding in one word. Listen in to find out what it was! I hope you enjoy i...

In this episode, I spoke with Toby DeRoche, author of the book Only Audit What Matters. Toby shared how internal auditors can start BEING agile vs. only doing agile and also shared the most important step in the Agile Blueprint transformation. Can you guess what it was? Take a listen to find out. I hope you enjoy it.

Are auditors truly independent and objective? Yes? No? Depends? In this AUDIT DUEL, Dr. Rainer Lenz, current CAE of SAF Holland, and Doug Anderson, former CAE of the Dow Chemical Co., debate the issue. Dr. Rainer thinks that “we should de-emphasize the dimensions of independence and objectivity in our professional standards," and Doug believes that “if we lessen independence and objectivity, then...

In this episode, I spoke with Barrie Enslin, Managing Director at Pro Optima Services. Barrie shared his Start with Intuition Method (SWIM), and In & Out Audit approach. Auditors MUST look beyond the paper. Over 40% of his projects have paid for themselves, matter of fact these projects have paid for the remaining 60%! How does he do it? Listen in to find out. I hope you enjoy it!

In this episode, I spoke with Joseph McCafferty, business journalist, editor, and publisher of the Internal Audit 360 website. Joe explained how he got involved in creating a learning/networking platform for the internal audit community, despite never working in the profession. He also shared some insights from internal auditors around the globe, and articles he would like to see submitted. Are yo...

In this episode, I spoke with Jan Babiak, Board Member and Audit Committee Chairperson of several large multinational organizations. Jan discussed common qualities that GREAT Internal Audit departments have. I also asked Jan a couple of expert-to-expert questions from Tom McLeod, former CAE of Rio Tinto. Profound questions, such as under what circumstances should the Chair seek the resignation of...

In this episode, I spoke with Doug Hubbard, from Hubbard Decision Research, and discussed the Applied Information Economics (AIE) decision-making method. Doug discussed the concept of “analysis placebo” and some biases people have when making decisions, such as partition dependence and the illusion of communication. He also discussed some surprising variables that are more important than people gi...

In this episode, I spoke with Hossam ElShaffei, a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Audit Foundation at The Institute of Internal Auditors. Hossam has extensive experience in performing complex audits, and investigations, from the United Nations to FIFA. He has done it all. During the conversation, Hossam had many stories to share with all auditors about NOT SETTLING in their careers...

Do not live down to people's low expectations of you. That’s Mike’s message. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. To bring awareness to the profession I interviewed Mike Royal. Mike is a former Director of Information Technology Audit, with more than 25 years of experience. He is blind, but as he well puts it, that is a small part of who he is. Listen in to the interview to h...

In this episode, I interviewed Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor and former prosecutor of the largest lottery scam in the history of the U.S. Rob walked us through the case's most challenging part and detailed how they connected the scam to previous lottery winnings in at least six other states in the U.S.  How?  He explains that as part of the episode.  Lastly, Rob had a message for all...