May 2026

optro.ai · Curated 2 months ago

Optro Acquires Midship to Build Autonomous GRC System

Optro, a leader in AI-driven GRC solutions, has acquired Midship, an AI-native automation pioneer for SOX compliance. This acquisition aims to accelerate Optro's vision of creating the industry's first autonomous system for GRC, moving internal audit beyond manual processes to strategic, AI-powered automation. The integration will enable auditors to automate tedious tasks, analyze unstructured data, and produce audit-ready results efficiently.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

prnewswire.com · Curated 2 months ago

Optro Acquires AI-Native Midship to Revolutionize Audit with Agentic AI

Optro, formerly AuditBoard, has acquired Midship, an AI-native SOX automation solution, to integrate advanced agentic AI capabilities into its GRC platform. This strategic move aims to automate up to 87% of SOX program management, allowing internal auditors to shift focus from manual tasks to strategic risk analysis. The acquisition addresses the growing pressure on audit teams to achieve more with fewer resources by leveraging AI to streamline repetitive processes.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

linkedin.com · Curated 2 months ago

Internal Audit in 2026: From Control Testing to Continuous Assurance

Internal Audit is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the convergence of AI, cybersecurity shifts, and heightened expectations from boards and regulators. The focus is moving beyond traditional control testing to providing continuous assurance and building confidence in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. This evolution necessitates a proactive approach to emerging risks like AI drift and a shift towards data-driven, AI-enabled assurance.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

internalauditcollective.com · Curated 2 months ago

The WOW Factor: Essential Skills for Internal Audit to Prove Its Value

This article explores the "WOW Factor" in internal audit, highlighting the critical soft skills that enable auditors to stand out, prove their value, and advance their careers. Based on insights from CAEs Robert Taft and Agnessa Vartanova, it emphasizes the importance of relationship building, critical thinking, communication, and curiosity over purely technical skills, even in the age of AI. The piece offers practical advice on asking strategic questions, crafting impactful reports, and judiciously using AI to enhance credibility and stakeholder engagement.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

internalauditcollective.com · Curated 2 months ago

Internal Audit Collective's AI Maturity Framework: A Roadmap for AI Adoption

The Internal Audit Collective has developed an AI Maturity Framework to help internal audit and SOX teams overcome 'analysis paralysis' and begin their AI adoption journey. This framework emphasizes hands-on learning and incremental progress, outlining three stages: Explore & Experiment, Structure & Scale, and Automate & Innovate. It provides practical guidance for teams to build AI literacy and integrate AI responsibly into their workflows.

Tools & Technology · North America Read more

internalauditcollective.com · Curated 2 months ago

Key Themes from Q1 2026 External Auditor Feedback Share Roundtables

The Internal Audit Collective hosted quarterly roundtables for members to share insights and challenges regarding their external auditors (Big Four firms). This article summarizes key themes from the Q1 2026 sessions, highlighting common focus areas, methodology changes, and emerging issues perceived by internal audit and SOX teams. The goal is to foster better communication and collaboration between internal and external audit functions.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

internalauditcollective.com · Curated 2 months ago

20 Questions on AI in SOX: Reliance, Data Privacy, Integration, and Tool Comparison

This article addresses 20 common questions internal audit and SOX teams have regarding the integration of AI into their processes, highlighting a significant gap between confidence in AI's potential and actual implementation. It covers critical areas such as external auditor reliance, data privacy concerns, integration with existing SOX platforms, and practical advice on comparing and utilizing different AI tools. The insights are drawn from a webinar and working group discussions by the Internal Audit Collective, aiming to demystify AI adoption for audit professionals.

News & Blogs · North America Read more

internalauditcollective.com · Curated 2 months ago

Becoming a Triple-Threat Auditor: Key IT Audit Questions Answered

This article addresses critical IT audit questions, emphasizing the need for internal auditors to become "triple-threats" by integrating analytics, AI, and IT audit skills with traditional acumen. It covers topics from improving IT risk assessments and auditing cloud transitions to validating automated controls and identifying essential next-generation IT audit skills. The piece highlights the urgency of these skills given the rapid proliferation of AI and its associated risks.

News & Blogs · North America Read more

prnewswire.com · Curated 2 months ago

The IIA Advocates for SOX Modernization to Enhance Investor Protection and Efficiency

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) has issued a public policy paper proposing updates to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). These recommendations aim to bolster investor safeguards and streamline operational efficiency by better integrating the internal audit profession into the SOX framework. The IIA emphasizes the need for SOX to evolve with the changing risk landscape, reducing compliance burdens while maintaining market integrity.

IIA & Standards · North America Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · Apr 6, 2026 · Curated 2 months ago

Dr. Rainer Lenz Receives Appreciation from National Bank of Ukraine's Internal Audit Team

Dr. Rainer Lenz shares positive feedback from the Internal Audit Team at the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) regarding his co-authored 2025 book. This highlights the importance of professional collaboration and knowledge sharing within the global internal audit community, especially in fostering connections and supporting audit functions in challenging environments.

News & Blogs · Global Read more