The Audit Podcast

Todd Freeman, Vice President of Internal Audit at Vulcan Materials Company, shares his expertise in navigating the complex world of internal auditing. He discusses the critical balance between political pressure and stakeholder opinions, advocating for integrity in the face of professional challenges. The importance of collaboration in audit dynamics is highlighted, emphasizing open communication to resolve disputes. Todd also illuminates how fostering strong relationships enhances understanding and influences organizational culture positively.

This week, our guest is Mike Balbirnie, Chief Audit Executive at Regions Financial Corporation. On his episode, Mike shares how to build a team at a large scale, how to be innovative within that team, and what resources he uses as a CAE. Be sure to connect with Mike on LinkedIn.   Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

Next in line for the 2022 Internal Audit Beacon Awards winners spotlight is Dr. Rainer Lenz. Rainer is Director Corporate Audit Services at SAF-HOLLAND Group. On this episode, Rainer shares actionable ways to be more effective in the audit profession, the ABC's of the future role of internal audit function, and why it's better to be a gardener of governance than a guardian. Be sure to connect with Rainer on LinkedIn. Resources: HE FUTURE ROLE OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION: ASSURE. BUILD. CONSULT THE FUTURE OF INTERNAL AUDITING: GARDENER OF GOVERNANCE (PDF) Insights into the Effectiveness of Internal Audit: A Multi-Method and Multi-Perspective Study  Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

This week, our guest is Jan Babiak, Independent Board Member and Audit Committee Chair. On this episode, Jan explains why she values attitude, excellence, and integrity over experience when it comes to working with CAEs. Jan also shares insights into executive sessions, what the audit board expects from CAEs, and how she would build her own audit shop from the ground up.  Be sure to connect with Jan on LinkedIn.   Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

This week, our guest is Kushal Joshi, Technology Audit Manager at Netflix. On this episode, we discuss how Netflix is implementing the Agile method, the most useful communication tools, and the best ways to validate your stakeholders. Be sure to connect with Kushal on LinkedIn. Resources:  Netflix Culture — Seeking Excellence  Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

This week, our guest is Val Williams, Corporate Audit Data Analytics Manager at Delta Air Lines. On this episode, we discuss implementing major initiatives with analytics, how to deal with data acquisition issues, and how storytelling with data can improve your audit department. Be sure to connect with Val on LinkedIn.   Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

This week, our guest is Kendall Berg, Director of IT Planning and Strategy at Cetera Financial Group. On this episode, we discuss strategies you can implement within your organization, how to progress in your career as a high performer, and how to impact your company culture as an auditor. Resources: Millennials expect an early promotion at work more than Gen Z   Kendall’s Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ That Career Coach Kendall’s TikTok: @thatcareercoach   Be sure to connect with Kendall on LinkedIn.   Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

Our host Trent Russell is fired up and ready to share his thoughts on the negative perception of audit and some possible ways to move the needle forward in a positive direction.   Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

Next in line for the 2022 Internal Audit Beacon Awards winners spotlight on The Audit Podcast is Sara I. James. Sara is the leading report-writing expert - in fact she wrote the book on it. During the episode, we discussed the possibility of a new addition to her book, how Chat GPT and other A.I. tools can assist auditors in their report writing, and how to fix the most common root cause issue that she sees in audit reports.   Resources: Save 30% off when you use code RRSJ23. Radical Reporting: Writing Better Audit, Risk, Compliance, and Information Security Reports Be sure to connect with Sara on LinkedIn.   Also, be sure to follow us on our new social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check out my favorite part of the interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.

This week, our guest is Megan Blackstone, Internal Audit Manager at TrueBlue. On her episode, we delved into one of the most pressing challenges faced by auditors: hiring and retention. Meghan shed light on her team's remarkable success in this area and shares practical insights and strategies that have worked wonders for her organization.  We also discussed dealing with burnout within the workforce, the difference between anxious achievers and insecure overachievers, and the best ways leaders in internal audit can ask for feedback.  Be sure to connect with Megan on LinkedIn.