March 2026

internalaudit360.com · Mar 11, 2026 · Curated 4 months ago

North American Internal Audit Functions Face Budget Cuts and Staffing Constraints Amid Rising Expectations

Internal audit functions in North America are grappling with significant challenges as budgets tighten and staffing levels decline, even as their responsibilities expand and the risk landscape grows more complex. This trend, highlighted by the latest North American Pulse of Internal Audit Survey, underscores the critical need for internal audit to strategically align with organizational priorities and demonstrate clear value to secure necessary resources and maintain effectiveness.

News & Blogs · North America Read more

normanmarks.wordpress.com · Mar 19, 2026 · Curated 4 months ago

SOX Scope: Striking the Right Balance Between Effectiveness and Efficiency

Norman Marks highlights the ongoing challenge for internal audit and assurance professionals in defining an effective and efficient scope for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. This brief article prompts a critical self-assessment: is your current SOX scope optimized, or is it unnecessarily broad and resource-intensive? The call to action for a survey suggests a collective effort to benchmark and refine SOX scoping practices, which is crucial for internal auditors seeking to add value without overburdening their organizations.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

tobyderoche.substack.com · Mar 19, 2026 · Curated 4 months ago

AI's Rapid Integration Threatens SOX Compliance: A Call for Evolved Internal Controls

The swift adoption of AI in financial systems, often through vendor-embedded features, is poised to significantly complicate Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. Internal audit and assurance professionals must recognize that AI introduces new risks related to data interpretation, fraud, and traceability, demanding a fundamental shift in how controls are designed, documented, and tested to maintain financial reporting reliability.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

thedatawire.com · Curated 4 months ago

Financial Services Leaders Shift Internal Audit Upstream for Responsible AI Deployment

Xin "Cindy" Tu, an audit executive, advocates for a proactive approach to AI governance, urging internal audit to become a strategic partner rather than a post-deployment reviewer. She emphasizes embedding governance from day one, fostering technical literacy among auditors, and establishing continuous training programs to ensure responsible AI innovation. Tu believes this shift is crucial for audit to remain relevant and add significant value in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

News & Blogs · North America Read more

morningstar.com · Curated 4 months ago

Quarterly Earnings Reports Likely to Persist Even Without Mandate

Despite discussions about potentially eliminating mandatory quarterly earnings reports, a new study suggests that most companies would continue to issue them voluntarily. The research indicates that the benefits of regular reporting, such as maintaining investor confidence and managing market expectations, outweigh the costs for many firms.

News & Blogs · North America Read more

normanmarks.wordpress.com · Mar 16, 2026 · Curated 4 months ago

The Nuance of Risk Quantification: When to Measure and When to Trust Intuition

This article challenges the common assumption that all risks must be quantitatively measured. For internal audit and assurance professionals, understanding when to apply rigorous quantification versus relying on qualitative assessment or even intuition is crucial for efficient and effective risk management. It emphasizes considering both upside potential and downside risk, and aligning quantification efforts with the decision-making context and available resources.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

insightcpe.com · Mar 16, 2026 · Curated 4 months ago

Navigating the EU AI Act: A Guide for Internal Audit Professionals

The EU AI Act is the world's first comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, extending its reach beyond Europe to impact any organization developing, selling, deploying, or using AI systems affecting EU residents. For internal auditors, this isn't just a legal compliance issue; it signifies a critical shift towards product safety, robust risk governance, and accountability for algorithmic decision-making. Understanding its risk-based framework and the distinction between AI providers and deployers is crucial for effective audit planning and ensuring responsible AI adoption.

News & Blogs · Europe Read more

ey.com · Curated 4 months ago

EY Survey: Autonomous AI Adoption Surges in Tech, Oversight Lags

A recent EY Technology Pulse Poll reveals that 97% of US tech executives prioritize autonomous AI, yet over half of department-level AI initiatives lack formal oversight. This rapid adoption is outpacing governance capabilities, leading to concerns about data leaks and the effective management of associated business risks. Despite these challenges, investment in AI, particularly in cybersecurity, continues to grow.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

linkedin.com · Curated 4 months ago

Think With AI: Preserving Human Intelligence in the Age of Automation

This article explores the critical need for professionals to evolve their approach to AI, moving beyond simply automating tasks to actively engaging with AI outputs to enhance human intelligence. It highlights the dangers of over-reliance on AI, likening it to 'cognitive offloading,' and advocates for a 'co-pilot' mindset where AI serves as a powerful tool that still requires human judgment and critical evaluation. The author emphasizes that the future of work belongs to those who can leverage AI to sharpen their own cognitive skills, not replace them.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

linkedin.com · Curated 4 months ago

Failure to Prevent Fraud: Demonstrating Reasonable Procedures in Practice

This article discusses the implications of the UK's Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, specifically the "failure to prevent fraud" offense, which comes into effect on September 1, 2025. It emphasizes that large organizations must credibly demonstrate a proportionate, coherent, actively maintained, and dynamic fraud prevention framework to avoid liability. The piece highlights the shift from mere compliance to a governance issue requiring clear evidence of effective fraud risk management.

News & Blogs · Europe Read more