Before I properly understood the role and function of internal audit and risk management, getting a call from this function in the organisation would always get me feeling that my day was about to be spoilt! Of course, I was seriously misdirecting myself.

Internal audit and risk management are just as responsible for ensuring the success of the organisation as every else in Management. This team checks us against systems and processes that we have agreed to adhere to. There is no need for apprehension in that regard.

My experience has been that internal audit and risk management generally has two functional dimensions…reviewing what we have done against established policies and guidelines and proactively identifying and assessing what could go wrong with a view to recommend ways of management (mitigation and/or avoidance). I don’t know about you, but I certainly need this kind of support as it will keep me and the organisation on the right trajectory with an early opportunity to take remedial action.

I think this is one of the links in organisational relationships that tests our threshold for feedback and how to objectively respond, all in the interest of the organisation.

To my colleagues in internal audit and risk management… do come into my house of thoughts… I am excited to host you!