Building a Better Auditor: Overcoming Networking Challenges

The article discusses why internal auditors often find networking challenging despite it being a lower-risk environment compared to their usual work, suggesting factors like professional skepticism and natural skill limitations. It offers five practical tips to improve networking success, including attending industry conferences, dedicating time to maintaining relationships, using LinkedIn proactively, engaging in professional bodies, and being genuine and authentic in interactions.

Internal Control Trends for 2025: Preparing for the Future

Internal control teams in 2025 must prioritize compliance automation, real-time monitoring, and advanced fraud detection to address increasingly complex regulatory demands, growing fraud risks, and the expansion of remote/hybrid work environments. Additionally, the integration of AI, automation, and ESG reporting requirements will be crucial for ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and transparency in organizational processes.

King County officials call for accountability following damning audit

King County officials are demanding increased accountability after a recent auditor’s report revealed significant internal control failures and improper payments within the Department of Community and Human Services, whose grant disbursals nearly doubled between 2019-2020 and 2023-2024. In response, executive candidates have called for comprehensive reforms and internal audits to ensure transparency and restore public trust in county operations.

5 overlooked risks internal audit can reveal

Internal audit is evolving from a compliance-focused task to a strategic tool that helps organizations proactively identify hidden risks, inefficiencies, and misalignment with business goals before they escalate. The article outlines how a modern, tech-enabled internal audit function can uncover overlooked vulnerabilities in controls, operations, cybersecurity, strategic alignment, and leadership decision-making, ultimately enabling smarter, more agile business decisions.

Why internal audit still falls short

Most internal audit departments worldwide operate at a basic or substandard level due to lack of independence, limited capacity, weak leadership commitment, and poor follow-up, jeopardizing transparency and integrity in public financial management. The article advocates reform through legislative changes, capacity building, adoption of international standards, digitization, and improved collaboration to elevate internal audit into a meaningful, value-adding oversight function.

Organizations With Bad Cultures Are Often the Last to Know

Eni launches G∙row: a Governance alliance to drive the evolution of control and risk management systems for the value chain

Eni, supported by McKinsey & Company and SAP Italy, has launched G-ROW, a strategic business alliance aimed at transforming risk management and governance across corporate value chains by promoting collaborative, distributed models instead of conventional internal control approaches. The initiative offers a free digital platform powered by SAP Business Technology Platform that provides self-assessment tools, scalable solutions, and facilitates experience-sharing, particularly helping small and medium-sized enterprises strengthen their risk management. G-ROW aligns with the UN’s Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, fostering systemic risk governance and resilience through shared frameworks and expertise among partner companies

Internal audit in local government: Time to lead, not linger

The article highlights that internal audit in local government has faced challenges like lack of external oversight and inconsistent quality since the Audit Commission was abolished, yet it can be transformative when empowered and trusted. It stresses adopting new standards such as GIAS and CIPFA, moving to risk-based and agile audit practices, and considering a national oversight body to foster innovation and improvement. Additionally, investing in people, technology, and building strong relationships is key to making internal audit a driver for better governance and stronger public services.

Poor Data Readiness Is Plaguing Corporate AI Projects

Nearly half of all corporate AI projects fail or underperform due to poor data readiness, leading to increased costs, lost revenue, and stalled innovation. Despite efforts to centralize data, many organizations struggle with pipeline maintenance, integration complexity, and lack of real-time data access, causing widespread project delays and operational setbacks. The survey highlights urgent needs for automated data integration tools, with regional leaders such as Asia-Pacific outperforming others, while sectors like finance and manufacturing lag due to legacy systems and fragmented infrastructure.

A Utility Player Mindset: The Power of Rotation Programs in Internal Audit

This article compares internal auditors to baseball utility players, emphasizing the value of adaptability and broad business knowledge. It highlights how structured rotation programs—such as outbound, inbound, cross-audit, and project-based assignments—help auditors gain diverse experience, spot risks more effectively, strengthen relationships, and prepare for leadership roles. While these programs require careful planning to manage talent gaps, role clarity, and cultural resistance, they ultimately build stronger risk cultures, enhance collaboration, and create more resilient and future-ready audit teams.