Internal Audit

4 Techniques for Auditors While data analytics in audit has been discussed for more than two decades, most internal audit teams are just beginning to make serious investments to embed analytics in their engagements and processes. Vendors highlight techniques such as predictive and prescriptive analytics; however, it is often unclear what these techniques entail and how they can be applied by audit departments. with co-author Barton Edgerton Data analytics has been discussed by the audit community for decades. Auditors and other assurance professionals of a certain age might well remember “computer-assisted auditing...

Moving Beyond Routine Contract Provisions If companies are to maintain a commitment to risk mitigation, they must keep an eye on (and extend its oversight to) distributors – as well as sub-distributors and sub-sub-distributors. This will mean leveraging distributor relationships and using a variety of tools and strategies to conduct compliance and financial audits. Limiting oversight to strictly formal audits is an unnecessary restriction on the company’s ability to mitigate risks. Whether you are in the high-tech industry and managing...

May is Internal Audit Awareness Month. What better time to discuss the challenges that come with preparing for audits and what companies can do to be better prepared? This article highlights trends in IA, insights into how auditors can continue to push their organizations forward and advice on how to better manage communication with the board by making education a priority.

Ahead of a compliance audit, the goal should be to identify and resolve compliance risks before they become significant problems. Preventive measures save resources by eliminating the cost of noncompliance and damage to reputation, helping to create new business and maintain a competitive advantage.

Navigating the COSO internal control cube is no easy task; there are more than 1,000 combinations to consider between the 17 Principles and the related Points of Focus as put forward in 2013. Here are some practical starting points and guidance for assessing risks and addressing them before signing off to the public.

Audit experts from CEB present the findings of the company’s annual Audit Plan Hot Spots report, which is based on interviews and surveys with more than 150 Chief Audit Executives. This article outlines the major risks CAEs plan to track closely this year – both expected risks and new and surprising themes.

Many public companies are in the process of preparing their annual 10-K reports for the SEC, and for these firms, it’s critical that management have a full understanding of the disclosure requirements. Ron Kral addresses several of the key challenges and questions organizations may have in conducting an effective ICFR evaluation.

Financial Reporting Issues Last month, Jim DeLoach shared four enterprise, process and technology risk issues for audit committees to consider this year. This month’s column focuses on financial reporting – the heart of the audit committee’s agenda. Read on for six additional issues every audit committee should be discussing.  By: Jim Deloach In last month’s column, we suggested four enterprise, process and technology risk issues for audit committees to consider in 2017. Understand the business, technology and other risks that...

How to Demonstrate a Commitment to Compliance Regulatory authorities for the financial industry will be focused on companies' risk management and compliance programs this year and for the foreseeable future. That's reason enough to make risk management and compliance a priority. By: Guy Talarico We’re only a few weeks into the year, and some of us have already broken resolutions we intended to keep. For compliance officers, there’s still time to assess and resolve to address shortcomings in their compliance...

Only 13 percent of Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) believe their firm performs “very well” when sourcing and managing internal audit talent, according to a recent survey by PwC. Using data collected from 1,600+ CAEs, PwC Partner Jason Pett recommends four strategies to help bridge the internal audit talent gap.

New year, new plan. January is the perfect time to reflect on successes and shortcomings from the previous year and to make a plan for improvement. Candela Solutions’ Ron Kral has compiled a top 10 list of tips leaders can use to set their organizations up for success.

In the latest Bulletin from global consulting firm, Protiviti, the top agenda items for audit committees to consider in 2017 are outlined, including issues related to enterprise, process and technology, risk and financial reporting.