May 2026

insightcpe.com · May 11, 2026

Beyond Technical: The 'Hard' Soft Skills Essential for Modern Internal Auditors

This article argues that traditional "soft skills" are now critical, difficult-to-master competencies for internal auditors. In today's complex and rapidly changing business environment, technical proficiency is a given; true effectiveness hinges on an auditor's ability to communicate, collaborate, learn, and build trust. Audit professionals must intentionally develop these human-centric skills to provide meaningful insights and drive organizational value.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

iapp.org · Curated 2 months ago

California Issues Record $12.75M CCPA Fine to GM for Unlawful Data Sales

California authorities have levied a record $12.75 million fine against General Motors under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for unlawfully collecting and selling drivers' geolocation and behavioral data. The settlement, which includes corrective actions, highlights a growing focus by regulators on data minimization and purpose limitation, particularly within the connected vehicle industry. This action signals an escalation in privacy enforcement and a warning to companies regarding their data handling practices.

News & Blogs · North America Read more

richardchambers.com · May 11, 2026

Rethinking Internal Audit Ratings: From Anxiety to Action

Internal audit ratings, while prevalent and often demanded by stakeholders, frequently create friction and delay rather than driving constructive action. This article advocates for a shift from traditional, often adversarial rating schemes to a more modern approach focused on communicating risk exposure and actionable insights. Audit professionals should consider how their rating methodologies can better serve to illuminate risk and encourage timely remediation, fostering collaboration over conflict.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

supervizor.com · Curated 2 months ago

Launching an Audit Analytics Program: From Zero to One for Lasting Impact

This article emphasizes that building a robust audit analytics program is crucial for internal audit functions, especially as AI integration becomes a boardroom expectation. It argues that a strong analytics foundation is a prerequisite for credible AI adoption, highlighting the pitfalls of traditional sampling methods and common reasons why analytics initiatives fail. The piece provides a practical, step-by-step guide for audit leaders to successfully launch and sustain an analytics program, focusing on strategic execution over mere tool acquisition.

Tools & Technology · Global Read more

linkedin.com · Curated 2 months ago

Making the Invisible Visible: How to Detect Audit Breakdowns Before Rework Escalates

This article argues that audit problems stem from a lack of visibility into workflow breakdowns, not insufficient capacity. It highlights that current audit systems track completion but fail to monitor the 'condition' of work, leading to issues surfacing late and becoming costly rework. The author proposes tracking specific leading indicators like First-Pass Yield, Rework Cycle Count, and Decision Latency to proactively identify and address flow disruptions.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

tobyderoche.substack.com · May 7, 2026 · Curated 2 months ago

The End of Quarterly Reporting: A Catalyst for SOX Transformation and Heightened Enforcement

The potential shift from quarterly to semi-annual reporting, coupled with a dedicated SEC SOX enforcement team, could fundamentally alter the landscape of internal controls and assurance. This change, while seemingly reducing reporting frequency, is likely to increase the duration and impact of undetected control failures, pushing organizations towards more robust, technology-driven, and continuously monitored control environments. Internal audit and SOX professionals must prepare for a future where proactive control reliability and forensic-level scrutiny replace traditional procedural compliance.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

normanmarks.wordpress.com · May 6, 2026 · Curated 2 months ago

COSO's New ERM Guidance: Shifting from Documentation to Decision-Making

COSO's latest guidance, "From Guidance to Action: Exploring Practical Enterprise Risk Management (2026)," emphasizes integrating ERM directly into organizational decision-making processes rather than treating it as a separate compliance function. This shift is crucial for internal audit and assurance professionals, as it redefines ERM's value proposition from merely identifying risks to actively influencing strategic choices, resource allocation, and operational effectiveness. The guidance advocates for a "Department of Know, not No" approach, positioning ERM as a strategic partner that helps leaders make better, more informed decisions.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

richardchambers.com · May 6, 2026 · Curated 2 months ago

The Crow's Nest Advantage: Why Internal Audit Offers an Unparalleled Career Launchpad

Internal Audit Month highlights the unique career advantages of the profession, particularly for new entrants. Internal audit provides a "crow's nest" perspective, offering a comprehensive view of an organization's operations, risks, and governance that is unmatched by other entry-level roles. This broad exposure accelerates business acumen, sharpens critical thinking, and positions auditors to navigate and influence the evolving landscape of risk, including the impact of AI.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

microsoft.com · Curated 2 months ago

Microsoft Agent 365 Now Generally Available, Enhancing AI Agent Security and Governance

Microsoft has announced the general availability of Agent 365, a control plane designed to observe, govern, and secure AI agents across diverse environments. This release includes new capabilities for discovering and managing 'shadow AI' agents, supporting both local and cloud-hosted instances, and integrating with a broad ecosystem of SaaS agents and cloud platforms. The platform aims to help organizations confidently scale AI adoption while maintaining robust security and compliance.

Tools & Technology · Global Read more

linkedin.com · Curated 2 months ago

Stop Relying on Prior Year Workpapers: Leverage AI for Current-Year Audit Documentation

This article advocates for internal auditors to move away from blindly copying prior year (PY) workpapers, arguing that this practice stifles critical thinking and perpetuates errors. It proposes a four-step process leveraging AI to create fresh, current-year audit documentation, ensuring relevance and accuracy while still using PY for context.

News & Blogs · Global Read more