Optimizing audit

I’ve been doing a lot of optimizing lately.

And the way I see things now is constantly changing. It’s still blurry but changing.

And I still don’t get ‘audit’.

Maybe what I can, and want, to add isn’t really 'audit' – it’s something else that I can’t quite grasp yet.

I have a daily habit that I am trying to develop, when my workload permits, and that is to read an article each workday. My source?

The IIA Internal Auditor Voices blog - https://iaonline.theiia.org/voices

I finally got up to date today and read the latest post - Future Imperfect / Mike Jacka / November 18, 2021

https://iaonline.theiia.org/blogs/jacka/2021/Pages/Future-Imperfect.aspx

I am not the only one thinking that things need to change then!

Maybe, just maybe, it’s not me that doesn’t get what audit could be, maybe audit just needs to catch up with the changing times?

I would like my job, as an auditor, to be like a protector of the company and the people in it. I want to encourage change where change is needed. Only needing to escalate when there is disagreement on the risks and/or the extent of the change needed. A blend of critical friend and coach.

Surely, it’s better to be able to report – we found x and already management have done y or have plans in place and are resourced to do z - rather than sending out a report with loads of management actions. Actions that management half-heartedly commits to, ignores until the month the actions are due to be implemented, begs for an extension and then finally does something just so they can tick it off and get audit ‘off their back’.

Surely we can do better than that if given the freedom to make a difference which brings me back to the Voices blog and another Mike Jacka post

Living in the Shadow of Fear / Mike Jacka / August 27, 2021

https://iaonline.theiia.org/blogs/jacka/2021/Pages/Living-in-the-Shadow-of-Fear.aspx

If you haven't used this resource before - check it out - https://iaonline.theiia.org/voices

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