Remaining Relevant : How Internal Audit Navigates in a Changing World

Programme

1. 28 Nov 2024, 08:00 - 08:45 (CET)

   Registration and welcome coffee
2. 08:45 - 09:00 (CET)

   Introduction

   Ms Agnieszka KAŹMIERCZAK, Director General, Internal Auditor of the European Commission and the EU autonomous bodies

   Ms Tea ENTING BEIJERING, Chair Audit Committee F4E; Audit Manager Dutch Ministry of Finance 
   Moderator

3. 09:00 - 09:15 (CET)

   Opening speech by Commissioner Reynders
4. 09:15 - 09:45 (CET)

   Keynote speech

   Ms Anke D’ANGELO, Auditor General and Vice President of Group Internal Audit (GIA)

5. 09:45 - 10:45 (CET)

   Stakeholders’ expectations as a key success factor for the Internal Auditor

   The changes in the “audit universe”, expectations of stakeholders and perception of added value that the IA can bring to their organisations.

   • Stakeholder perception of the value added by the internal auditor is a prerequisite for the internal auditor to remain relevant. 
   • New Global Internal Audit Standards reinforce the need for enhanced communication between the IA and the stakeholders on the internal auditor’s value proposition.
   • Performance audits could be a vehicle to address the challenge of resource constraints of the Commission DGs

   Best practices from other Internal audit functions on how stakeholder feedback is received/ communication managed: through e.g., the Institute of Internal Auditors.

6. 10:45 - 11:00 (CET)

   Coffee break
7. 11:00 - 12:00 (CET)

   The Internal Auditor needs to change its strategy: how to keep IA fit for purpose when business strategies and plans evolve rapidly

   In which way should our audit strategy be amended? How to capture relevant and timely feedback on the added value of IA work?

   • Related to the role of IA to add value to the clients by responding to the fast-changing environment that affects auditee’s business (e.g. pandemic, wars, energy crisis, inflation, migration and changing demographics.)
   • Useful to IA in terms of evolvement of internal audit work planning and procedures (more flexibility) – to provide faster and more forward-looking recommendations, balance it with the role of the internal audit in the organisation with the standards and procedures (length of the legal process, compliance, bureaucracy). 

   Related to the business of many audits organisations/useful for audience (to consider as one of the success factors); e.g. internal auditors and external auditors in the EC, auditors in national authorities/paying agencies, private sector auditors contracted by the public sector for auditing EU funds, external auditors (ECA).

8. 12:00 (CET)

   Conclusion of the morning sessions
9. 12:15 - 13:15 (CET)

   Lunch - networking moment
10. 13:15 - 14:15 (CET)

    The key enablers for a successful internal audit function: people and technology

    Part 1: People: the key enabler in internal auditing 

    We cannot flexibly change the workforce therefore we have to make sure that our workforce stays: 

    • sufficiently up to date vis-à-vis fast changing environment, insecurity (i.e. emergence of AI, new skills?), workforce in public sector with low rotation (competition over resources with private sector),  
    • engaged and motivated, deployed in the most efficient and effective way.
11. 14:15 - 14:45 (CET)

    Coffee break
12. 14:45 - 15:45 (CET)

    The key enablers for a successful internal audit function: people and technology

    Part 2: The impact of technology on internal auditing

    Impact of technology on how we audit:

    • Impact of technology on the audit work over the last several years (which technologies are used, greatest impact).
    • Sufficient use of ‘mature’ technologies to be exploited before jumping to new, emerging technologies?
    • Innovations vs limitations? Main challenges and best practices on how to manage information/IT security vs. use of the AI. Rules/regulations as a barrier to innovation?
    • If and how are you building a data-driven/informed culture in the organisation and in the internal audit (e.g. decision making, scoping, testing)? Main obstacles/challenges and drivers. What do you consider to be success factors? Main challenges as regards data quality.
    • Forward-looking perspective – to what extent technology contributes and should contribute to effective audit work? Do you use technology as support or as a single provider to deliver final results?

    Impact of technology on what we audit:

    • How much the use of emerging technologies influenced the strategic audit topic/risk assessment? In deciding what to audit/where to put the focus?
    • Do we have sufficient audit frameworks to be able to build an audit approach emerging technologies?
13. 15:45 - 16:15 (CET)

    Conclusions
14. Show 8 more items
15. 16:15 - 17:30 (CET)

    Cocktail reception

Practical information

Description

Aligning our internal audit strategy with our organisations’ ambitions and objectives, focusing on areas that add the most value, and providing strategic insights and foresight to our stakeholders remain critical in the pursuit of excellence in internal audit.

Our annual conferences are a premier networking event for public sector internal audit professionals working in international organisations and EU member states, gaining a greater understanding of leading practices and discussing key issues with key stakeholders. 

Our objective is to ensure our in-person and virtual participants stay not only abreast, but ahead of critical issues. We have invited globally recognised experts and experienced internal audit leaders to deliver topical and forward-thinking presentations.