Internal auditing is a challenging but exciting profession. It requires sharp analytical thinking, operational knowledge, and full awareness of up-to-date compliance regulations. However, these skills alone will not result in a constructive partnership between you and an organization. How can you address the unnerving realities of an internal audit from a more empathetic perspective? These 5 tips will help you put your heart into an audit and can help guarantee a positive internal auditing experience for all involved, which in turn will allow you to perform your duties to the best of your ability.
- See Clients as Partners
Historically, internal auditors were only tasked to ensure compliance, and an audit was rarely a positive experience. Companies often faced fines and other penalties because of an audit visit, and organizations continue to look at internal audits with aversion. However, a new wave of internal auditing practices are now being employed to aid in developing a partnership with management, thereby helping a company reach strategic goals and business objectives. The goal of an internal auditor is to ensure the success of the client, and viewing the clients as partners promotes that goal of achievement.
- Communicate Often
Cooperation is critical to the success of an internal audit, which is why a good relationship between the client and the auditor is so important. Communicating openly and often will ensure that you are being as helpful as possible to the client company. What are their concerns? What do they want from you as an internal auditor? Do they know whether their current processes meet certain regulations? Laying this foundation will help guide you, and the client is more likely to be open to your findings when trust has been established.
- Find the Big Picture
Internal auditors must focus on the overall scope of the client company and its objectives. Improving governance, risk management, and internal controls require a broad view of how things are currently functioning and whether strategies are effective. A top-down approach will help determine what the objectives are and if different departments are meeting those objectives, allowing processes to be adjusted as needed to preserve resources.
- Give Solutions
Once you have identified the risks that the client company is facing, which could include profit loss, have solutions ready. Discuss with management how processes could be improved and what the organization can do to prevent further risk. Communicating the problem will only breed frustration if you have no real advice to offer. Work alongside management to help find real solutions, mitigate risk, and reach business objectives.
- Continue to Learn
As an internal auditor, you can never stop learning. Whether we like it or not, compliance rules and regulations are continuously shifting, and personal development is important. Continue to educate yourself on how to better communicate and impart compassion in your work. Putting your heart into auditing requires soft skills, and those involve regular practice. Join the Internal Audit Career Academy and you’ll earn CPEs and develop the skills you need to take your internal auditing business to the next level.
The success of an audit relies on not only your head but also on your heart. When you use both, your dedication supports a business in its endeavors to fix errors, seek improvement, and further growth. To truly understand a business, you must have the full support of the team members involved. You must put your heart into the internal auditing process, and to act as a partner rather than just a scrutinizing eye.
