Podcast
The Audit Podcast
Hosted by Trent Russell · EN
On the show you can expect to hear from everyone: from the intern, to the IT audit director, CAE and audit committee members because all of their opinions are important.
We'll talk about integrating tech into audit, how to get quick wins, the latest SOX guidance and whatever other topics the guests want to talk about and whatever you want to hear about.
Be sure to subscribe to the show in whatever you're listening to it on now and we'll talk to you soon.
58episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The 2026 Audit Analytics and AI Conference Spring
4d ago00:03:54Summary readyIt's tomorrow! The Audit Analytics and AI Conference is here! One thing I hear constantly at conferences is that there's plenty of AI talk, but not enough real examples of how teams are actually using it day to day. That's always been the goal of this conference. This year, we went back through five years of speakers and brought back some of the highest-rated sessions, the people who didn't just talk theory, but actually pulled up their screens and showed how they're using AI and analytics in practice. And if you can't make it live tomorrow, recordings will be available as well. Last chance to register here: https://theauditanalyticsconference.com/register/
SummaryEp 284: Inside Audit, AI, and What Actually Works w/ Andrew Struthers-Kennedy
3w ago00:22:14Summary readyThis week, Andrew Struthers-Kennedy takes over hosting duties for The Audit Podcast… and interviews me! We cover audit, risk, AI, and technology, with a conversation that ties closely to themes from The Audit Analytics and AI Conference, where innovation and practical adoption are front and center. We get into where AI is showing up in the audit process, what teams can realistically start implementing today, and where vendors vs. in-house solutions make the most sense. I also reflect on six years of podcast conversations with audit leaders and share one of the biggest lessons I've learned. Be sure to connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. 5:23 - Predictions for audit 2026 8:05 - AI or bust 11:16 - Most memorable pieces of advice from the audit podcast 15:15 - Trent answers Rapid fire questions 15:20 - How AI should be utilized in audit teams 17:15 - The audit analytics and AI Spring conference 21:10 - Wrap Up Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
SummaryEp 283: Topical Requirement: Organizational Behavior w/ Sandro Boeri (Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors)
4w ago00:42:04Summary readyThis week, Sandro Boeri, former President of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors and a globally recognized voice in the profession, joins the show. He brings a perspective shaped by decades in the profession—combining practical experience with a strong focus on leadership, culture, and how internal audit needs to evolve to stay relevant. Rather than focusing only on tools, he emphasizes mindset, discipline, and the role auditors play in influencing better decisions. The conversation centers on how the role of internal audit is shifting. From using AI as a thinking partner in everyday scenarios to the growing pressure to clearly articulate value, he shares what's changing—and what auditors need to do about it. He also breaks down the idea of moving beyond hindsight-based assurance toward becoming a trusted advisor present in key decisions. Be sure to connect with Sandro on LinkedIn. 6:00 - Dealing with difficult emails using LLM 8:55 – The Adoption Journey of AI 11:43 – What Are You Teaching Right Now 13:00 – Is Internal Audit Becoming Irrelevant 15:42 - Why Audit Needs to Sell Its Value 16:30 - Why Audit Needs to Sell Its Value 20:17 - How Do You Audit Culture 25:43 - Selling Findings 27:46 - What Happens When AI Does the Audit Work 34:05 - Why Influence is the One Skill That Will Matter Most 40:15 – Final thoughts Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
SummaryEp 282: Why Culture, Not Tech, Drives Audit Innovation w/ Andrew Struthers-Kennedy and Arpit Shah (Audit Innovator Award)
Apr 2100:36:20Summary readyThis week, internal audit leaders Andrew Struthers-Kennedy and Arpit Shah join the show. They bring a perspective grounded in real-world innovation—leading a team that's been recognized with the Audit Innovator Award two years in a row. They share how their approach goes beyond tools and technology, focusing instead on mindset, leadership, and creating an environment where ideas can take shape. The conversation centers on how innovation really happens inside audit teams. From using AI as a day-to-day thinking partner to building and deploying solutions quickly, they break down what's working in practice. They also walk through the Innovator Award—how it started, what it recognizes, and why showcasing real examples of progress in the profession matters. This is a quick, practical episode packed with insights on experimentation, leadership, and how teams of any size can start making progress—without waiting for the perfect solution. Be sure to connect with Andrew and Arpit on LinkedIn. 5:17 - AI Problem Solving 12:27 – Using AI for Real Life Logistics 22:30 – Prioritizing Tax Data Accuracy in the Audit Plan 30:05 – How Their Audit Team Is Structured for Innovation 32:11 – Final thoughts Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
SummaryEp 281: Bridging the Gap Between Tax and Internal Audit w/ Michelle V. (ITT Inc.)
Apr 1400:24:43Summary readyThis week, internal audit leader and tax expert Michelle V. joins the show. Michelle brings a unique perspective, coming from a tax background into internal audit leadership—an area where tax expertise isn't always front and center. She shares insights into her transition from leading tax to stepping into a broader internal audit role, and how that experience shapes the way she approaches emerging topics today. The conversation centers on upcoming guidance around effective tax rate requirements set to take effect in 2026. Michelle breaks down why this topic matters, what audit teams should be paying attention to, and how even those without a tax background can better understand and communicate the implications—whether within their organizations or at the board level. This is a quick, practical episode packed with insights that can help auditors stay ahead of an important, and often overlooked, area. Be sure to connect with Michelle on LinkedIn. 6:34 - Utilizing LLMs for report research 11:06 – ASC guidance effective tax rate 2026 15:33 – Prioritizing Tax Data Accuracy in the Audit Plan 17:43 – What's Driving ASC guidance 19:18 – Map Your Current Footnote to New Requirements 23:27 – Final Thoughts Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
SummaryEp 280: Why Passive Voice Is Hurting Your Audit Reports w/ Sara I. James (Radical Reporting)
Apr 700:46:21Summary readyThis week, Sara I. James, author of Radical Reporting: Writing Better Audit, Risk, Compliance, and Information Security Reports (Second Edition), joins the show. Sara shares what's new in the second edition of her book, including a deeper focus on critical thinking and the role of large language models in report writing. She explains why strong writing about more than grammar and how language, logic, and professional courage all work together in effective audit communication. Finally, Sara talks through key themes from the book, including active versus passive voice, why so many audit findings become harder to follow than they need to be, and how auditors can write more clearly, think more critically, and avoid over relying on AI in their work. Be sure to connect with Sara on LinkedIn. Check out her website. 6:02 - Best Advice 5:53 – Sara's Book: Radical Reporting 8:40 – Importance of Critical Thinking 17:45 – Active Versus Passive Voice 22:50 – Active Audit Report Writing 28:57 – Why LLMs Aren't Enough 31:36 – Why the 5 C's don't hold up 36:00 – Using LLMs for Report Writing 44:30 – Final Thoughts Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
SummaryEp 279: Using EOS to Build a Stronger Audit Function w/ Chris Hallberg (GoExpand
Mar 3100:36:53Summary readyThis week, our guest is Chris Hallberg, CEO and founder of Business Sergeant and president and founder of GoExpand, where he helps organizations implement EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System. Chris joins the show to share how EOS can help teams build more clarity, accountability, and traction. He breaks down the six key components of the framework and explains why so many organizations struggle with alignment and execution. We also talk about three EOS concepts that feel especially relevant for internal audit: vision, issues, and traction. Chris shares practical ways teams can create a clearer vision, solve the real root of problems, and build stronger follow-through through priorities and meeting rhythms. Be sure to connect with Chris on LinkedIn. 5:58 - How Chris uses Chat 8:22 - Why you should care about EOS 15:51 - Making the vision actually count 23:24 - Issues Protocols That Actually Work 29:47 - How Do You Build Traction on Team Priorities 33:29 - Final Thoughts Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
SummaryEp 278: Trust, Insight, and Audit Leadership w/ Navin Pasricha (Getting Ready to Roar)
Mar 2400:41:28Summary readyThis week, our guest is Navin Pasricha, a longtime internal audit leader and author of Getting Ready to Roar: Chief Auditor's Guide from Audit Room to Board Room. Navin joins the show to discuss the profession's current inflection point and the opportunity internal auditors have to move from simply reporting to the board to becoming trusted voices in the boardroom. He explains why audit committees are under more pressure than ever, why resilience and future-focused risk matter so much right now, and how internal audit is uniquely positioned to help. We also talk about one of the biggest questions in the profession today: how auditors can deliver real insight. Navin shares why insight starts with recognizing patterns, understanding how an audit fits within the broader organizational ecosystem, and connecting audit work back to strategy, industry pressures, and the future direction of the business. Finally, Navin discusses key themes from his book, including how internal auditors can build trust, navigate independence while take on a more advisory role, strengthen relationships with audit committees, and develop the strategic understanding needed to lead at a higher level. Be sure to connect with Navin on LinkedIn. 6:02 - Best Advice 7:43 - Managing CAE pressures 10:40 - How to Gain Insights 12:32 - Democratizing Insights 18:50 - Getting Ready to Roar 30:20 - What is the Skill Most Overlooked by CAEs 35:40 - Building Strategic Understanding 39:00 – Final Thoughts Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
SummaryEp 277: Key Risks, New Research, and the Future of the Profession w/ Anthony Pugliese (President of the IIA)
Mar 1000:41:08Summary readyThis week, our guest is Anthony Pugliese, President and CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Anthony joins the show as he approaches his five-year anniversary leading the IIA, reflecting on the major milestones and progress the organization has made during that time. He shares a look back at key initiatives from the past five years and discusses what the next phase could look like for the profession. We also talk about several recent research efforts, including the 2026 Risk in Focus survey and the joint report with AuditBoard on AI driven fraud. Anthony highlights a few key trends auditors should be watching, particularly as organizations navigate emerging technology risks and evolving expectations around governance and oversight. Finally, Anthony explains two initiatives aimed at strengthening the future of the profession: the Global Audit Committee Center, which supports stronger engagement with audit committees, and VisionU, a development program designed for new and aspiring chief audit executives. Be sure to connect with Anthony on LinkedIn. 6:02 - AI Tips 11:03 - 5 Years as IIA President 14:32 - Strategy and the New Internal Audit Standards 14:32 - Why "Simple" Implementations Rarely Actually Simple 17:40 - Key Insights from Risk in Focus 2026 and the AI Fraud Report 21:50 - AI Literacy and Training in Internal Audit 24:26 - The Audit Committee Center 27:54 - How to Join the Audit Committee center 33:25 - Experienced CAE resources 35:35 – Final Thoughts 38:26 - Best advice for CAEs from Anthony Pugliese Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video 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.
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IA on AI – Can we use AI for ICFR and SOX
Mar 500:07:22Summary readyLinks: Norman Marks Article Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-audit-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauditpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theauditpodcast?lang=en Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. * This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics. the services firm that helps auditors leapfrog 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.
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