July 2026

tamikaslowley.wixsite.com · Jul 26, 2026

Connecting the Dots: Why a Systems Approach is Crucial for Business Resilience and Growth

This article emphasizes that a business functions as an interconnected system, not just a collection of departments. For internal audit and assurance professionals, this perspective is critical for identifying and assessing risks, ensuring effective controls, and providing strategic insights. Understanding these interdependencies allows auditors to evaluate how weaknesses in one area can cascade throughout the organization, impacting overall performance and resilience.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

youtube.com · Jun 23, 2026 · Curated 1 week ago

Understanding Governance Data Protection Regulations

This video from Optro, an AI-powered governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) platform, likely delves into the complexities of data protection regulations. For internal audit and assurance professionals, understanding these regulations is crucial for assessing an organization's compliance posture, identifying potential risks, and ensuring robust data governance frameworks are in place. The content would be valuable for developing audit programs related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory adherence.

News & Blogs · Global Watch on YouTube

youtube.com · Jul 20, 2026 · Curated 1 week ago

Optro Acquires Midship: A Strategic Move in the Audit Software Landscape

The acquisition of Midship by Optro signals a significant consolidation within the audit software sector. For internal audit and assurance professionals, this development suggests potential shifts in available tools, features, and vendor support. Understanding the strategic rationale behind such mergers is crucial for anticipating future product roadmaps and ensuring continuity in audit technology solutions.

News & Blogs · Global Watch on YouTube

radicalcompliance.com · Jul 2, 2026 · Curated 1 week ago

Compliance Author Sentenced to 10 Years for $62 Million Healthcare Fraud

A healthcare compliance author, Jean Wilson, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in a massive $62 million Medicare fraud scheme. This case highlights the critical importance of robust internal controls and ethical conduct, even from those who profess expertise in compliance. Internal audit and assurance professionals should note the audacity of individuals who exploit systemic weaknesses while simultaneously advising on best practices, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance and skepticism in fraud detection.

News & Blogs · North America Read more

radicalcompliance.com · Jul 13, 2026 · Curated 1 week ago

IIA Guidance: Internal Audit's Evolving Role in ERM and the Future of Assurance

The IIA has released new guidance exploring how internal audit can take a more direct and integrated role in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). This shift is crucial for audit professionals to demonstrate continued value in an era where AI and automation are transforming traditional audit functions, pushing towards continuous assurance and potentially blurring the lines between audit and risk management. Understanding these evolving expectations and the safeguards required is essential for internal audit leaders looking to strategically position their teams for the future.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

riskacademy.blog · Jul 17, 2026 · Curated 2 weeks ago

IIA's New ERM Paper: A Critical Look at Internal Audit's Role and the Flaws in Current ERM Frameworks

This article critically examines the IIA's latest Statement of Position on internal audit's role in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), arguing that while it addresses independence, it sidesteps fundamental questions about ERM's effectiveness. For internal audit and assurance professionals, this piece highlights the crucial need to scrutinize the underlying methodologies of ERM, rather than merely auditing its governance, to ensure that risk management genuinely contributes to organizational decision-making and value creation.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

riskacademy.blog · May 10, 2026 · Curated 2 weeks ago

COSO ERM Guidance 2026: A Step Forward for Decision-Led Risk Management

The new COSO ERM Guidance 2026 marks a significant improvement, emphasizing a decision-led approach over documentation-heavy processes. Internal audit and assurance professionals should note its focus on integrating risk analysis with strategic choices and value creation, moving away from abstract risk appetite concepts and compliance-driven ERM. This guidance encourages a more actionable and embedded risk management function, challenging traditional methodologies like heat maps and standalone risk reporting.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

riskacademy.blog · Apr 1, 2026 · Curated 2 weeks ago

Maslow's Pyramid for Risk Management: A Hierarchical Approach to Professional Mastery

This article reinterprets Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for risk management professionals, arguing that true mastery and effectiveness are built upon a foundational understanding of probability theory, decision science, behavioral economics, and ethics. It challenges the common practice of expecting risk managers to immediately influence strategy without first establishing these critical competencies and deep business knowledge. For audit and assurance professionals, this framework highlights the importance of assessing the underlying capabilities of an organization's risk function, moving beyond superficial compliance to evaluate whether risk analysis genuinely informs decision-making and creates value.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

riskacademy.blog · Dec 27, 2025 · Curated 2 weeks ago

Quantifying Uncertainty: How Risk Management Drives Immediate Economic Value

This article argues that effective risk management, by quantifying uncertainty in operational and financial decisions, directly translates into significant economic value. It moves beyond traditional compliance-focused ERM to demonstrate how probabilistic thinking can reduce losses, free up capital, and enhance decision-making across various business functions, offering a compelling case for internal audit and assurance professionals to champion this approach within their organizations.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

riskacademy.blog · Oct 20, 2025 · Curated 2 weeks ago

Beyond ERM: Transforming Risk Management from Cost Center to Profit Engine

This article challenges traditional Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) approaches, arguing they often fail to deliver tangible value. It proposes a shift towards a decision-centric, quantitative risk management framework that can significantly reduce costs, optimize insurance, and drive cash flow growth, urging internal audit and assurance professionals to consider how their organizations can move beyond compliance-driven ERM to a more strategic, value-generating model.

News & Blogs · Global Read more