Feed a Fever, Starve an Internal Audit Function - Audit Beacon
Earlier this week, I came across an article that discussed an ongoing dispute in Delaware over funding of the State Auditor’s office. Partisan politics appear to […]| Audit Beacon
Earlier this week, I came across an article that discussed an ongoing dispute in Delaware over funding of the State Auditor’s office. Partisan politics appear to […]| Audit Beacon
In 2014, I wrote about the troubling tendency of organizations to either “feed a fever” by pouring resources into internal audit functions during crises—or “starve” them […]| Audit Beacon
If you ask almost any chief audit executive (CAE) whether they have the full support of their audit committee, the answer will almost always be “yes.” But experience tells us that this support is sometimes conditional — firm when the stakes are low, but fragile when the stakes are high. Audit committees rarely hesitate to back us on the easy issues: approving changes to the audit plan or charter or even supporting resource requests. But when it comes to the toughest conversations — pa...| Audit Beacon
I’ve heard my share of jokes about internal auditors over the years. Most of the time, I can laugh them off. After all, there are jokes about every profession — doctors, lawyers, accountants, and even CEOs. Why should internal auditors be any different? But every now and then, a joke lands a little too close to home. I remember being at a conference years ago when the speaker asked: “How many internal auditors does it take to screw in a light bulb?” The punchline: “It depends. How m...| Audit Beacon
Since launching my blog in 2009, I’ve written more than 800 articles on internal audit, risk management, and governance. But if I had to name just one that’s stood the test of time — and the scrutiny of hundreds of thousands of readers — it would be “10 Things Not to Say in an Audit Report.” First published in 2011 and refreshed in 2017, it remains the most-read post I’ve ever authored. Why has this topic resonated so widely? Because in our profession, how we communicate can mat...| Audit Beacon
Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with chief audit executives (CAEs) who are navigating the complex terrain of organizational politics and governance. One of the most troubling trends I continue to hear about—despite years of progress in internal audit independence—is the intrusion of management into the CAE’s executive sessions (sometimes referred to as in camera sessions) with the audit committee. Let me be blunt: executive sessions are not for executives—at least n...| Audit Beacon
In October 2020, I shared the sad news with the global internal audit profession that four public sector internal auditors in Liberia had died mysteriously in […]| Audit Beacon
As internal auditors and risk professionals, we are trained to scan the horizon for looming threats. Every year, headlines are filled with familiar risks—cybersecurity, economic volatility, geopolitical unrest, regulatory change. These are important, and rightly command our attention. But what about the risks that aren’t dominating the headlines? The ones that aren’t part of boardroom agendas, risk registers, or scenario planning models? In my experience, the most dangerous risks are of...| Audit Beacon
Each July 4th, Americans come together to celebrate their nation’s Independence Day — a time for reflection, celebration, and patriotic pride. But America is far from […]| Audit Beacon
One of the first questions I am often asked by college students is: “Why should I go into internal auditing?” It’s a fair question—and an important one. These are often accounting students with tough choices to make, and they want careers that offer purpose, learning, and opportunity. My answer is always the same, but with growing conviction each year: If you want to accelerate your understanding of business, make a meaningful impact, and prepare for leadership—start in internal aud...| Audit Beacon
“When you put yourself on the line in a race and expose yourself to the unknown, you learn things about yourself that are very exciting.” – […]| Audit Beacon
“Boards tell internal auditors they want “no surprises.” Yet every day in 2025 brings a new surprise.” If you’re like me, you entered 2025 cautiously optimistic. […]| Audit Beacon
In a recent article for AuditBoard, I shared 10 lessons I have earned in my 50 years on the (internal) audit trail. Number 3 on the […]| Audit Beacon
Like many chief audit executives, when I was leading an internal audit function, I periodically found my company facing financial pressures. Inevitably, management and/or the board […]| Audit Beacon
I often find that the most spirited debates on LinkedIn take place on the weekends. Perhaps it’s because there are fewer posts and debate leads to […]| Audit Beacon
In her iconic book, Extraordinary Circumstances, former WorldCom chief audit executive (CAE) Cynthia Cooper recounts her challenge of bringing to the audit committee’s attention more than […]| Audit Beacon
