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.
64episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 290: Prepping for the Board w/ Erin Banet (Humana)
6d ago00:25:34Summary readyThis week on The Audit Podcast, Erin Banet, Chief Audit Executive at Humana, joins the show to discuss what goes into preparing audit committee meetings and how the CAE role is evolving beyond traditional internal audit. Erin explains how she builds audit committee agendas, prepares board members throughout the year, and why overcommunication is critical to successful meetings. She also shares how she uses industry publications and AI tools to stay ahead of emerging risks and keep discussions focused on topics like cybersecurity, AI governance, and compliance. The conversation then shifts to enterprise risk management. Erin discusses overseeing ERM alongside internal audit, SOX, and other risk functions, why she began with a maturity assessment, and how combining these responsibilities gives audit leaders a more strategic role within the organization. The episode closes with a discussion on the difference between enterprise risk management and the traditional audit risk assessment, along with practical ad 01:17 – Personal AI Use Cases 03:17 – Audit Committee Meetings: Cadence, Preparation & Board Communication 08:13 – Publications, AI Tools & Staying Ahead of Emerging Risks 11:18 – Over-communication Strategies for Audit Committee Success 14:02 – Taking Ownership of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) 19:18 – Conducting ERM Maturity Assessments & Building a Roadmap 21:12 – Internal Audit Risk Assessments vs. Enterprise Risk Management 24:13 – Thinking Like a Risk Strategist: The Future of Internal Audit Be sure to connect with Erin 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 289: The Future of SOX? w/ Casey Atwater (ZoomInfo & Internal Audit Collective)
2w ago00:27:04Summary readyThis week on The Audit Podcast, Casey Atwater, former Head of Audit at ZoomInfo and founder of Internal Audit Collective, joins the show to talk about how AI is changing SOX, internal controls, and the way internal audit work gets done. We focus on what's actually changing in practice. Casey shares why SOX is no longer just a testing exercise, but a design and architecture problem. As systems change faster and AI gets embedded into day-to-day work, the way controls are built and maintained has to change with it. He explains why controls need to live inside workflows instead of being tracked in spreadsheets, and why management will increasingly take ownership of control design and execution. Internal audit still plays a role, but it shifts more toward advising, reviewing change, and focusing on higher-risk areas outside routine SOX testing. We also talk about the gap between automation and complexity. Even though more systems are being added, many organizations are not seeing meaningful efficiency gains in controls. Casey walks through why that mismatch exists and what it means for audit teams. The conversation ends with practical ways audit teams can start adapting now—by reducing redundant controls, looking harder at which systems actually need to be in scope, and working more directly with control owners to fix issues instead of just documenting them. He also makes the point that while tools and AI will change a lot of the technical work, relationships and communication inside the business still matter just as much. 1:42 — ControlBridge AI & the future of SOX 16:16 — Continuous monitoring 09:13 — Getting management to own controls 20:18 — AI beyond testing automation 22:24 — Practical actions for audit leaders 25:17 — Final Thoughts Be sure to connect with Casey 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 288: The Dead-End Strategy Most Organizations Are Following w/ Angelo Poulikakos (Protiviti)
3w ago00:31:49Summary readyThis week on The Audit Podcast, Angelo Poulikakos, Global Leader of Internal Audit and Financial Advisory Capabilities at Protiviti, joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, innovation, and what it means to stay relevant in a rapidly changing profession. Drawing from his experience helping organizations navigate AI adoption, Angelo shares how his own use of AI has evolved, why context matters more than prompts, and how audit leaders can move beyond simply becoming faster and cheaper to delivering deeper insights and greater value. He also discusses Protiviti's internal strategy for embracing AI, building future-ready talent, and transforming how audit work gets done. The conversation explores the balance between human creativity and AI, the importance of critical thinking in an AI-driven world, and why staying hungry to learn, experiment, and innovate is essential for the future of internal audit. 2:05 - Creativity, Critical Thinking & Technology 8:13 - From Prompt Engineering to Context Engineering 16:58 = What's Next for AI 19:06 - The EAT Framework for Internal Audit Transformation 29:25 - Final thoughts Be sure to connect with Angelo 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 287: First 100 Days as a CAE w/ Danielle Ritter (GitLab)
4w ago00:31:37Summary readyThis week on The Audit Podcast, Danielle Ritter, VP and Head of Internal Audit at GitLab and former CAE at Instacart, joins the show to share lessons from her leadership journey and practical advice for audit professionals at every stage of their careers. Drawing from her experience leading audit functions across multiple organizations, Danielle discusses what matters most during a CAE's first 100 days, how to build credibility with stakeholders, and why strong relationships are essential to an effective audit function. She also shares how her team is embracing AI, developing new skills, and preparing for the future of the profession. 2:06 – Using AI in work and everyday life 5:16 – Where CAEs should focus: insights vs. efficiency 6:46 – Day One: listening and learning 10:11 – Navigating the CAE interview process 13:09 – How to define and demonstrate value 16:40 – What information belongs in the boardroom 19:00 – A practical approach to building strong relationships 22:45 – AI and the future of job security 27:55 – Making time for self-directed learning 30:07 – Final thoughts: your career does not define you Be sure to connect with Danielle 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 286: The Human Side of Audit Transformation w/ Aadesh Gandhre & Idania Orengo (DTCC)
May 2800:43:37Summary readyThis week on The Audit Podcast, Aadesh Gandhre, CAE at DTCC, steps in as guest host for a conversation with his colleague, Idania Orengo, Chief of Staff, Internal Audit at DTCC, about the human side of audit transformation. Drawing from their experiences at DTCC, they discuss how culture, communication, and leadership help build high-performing audit teams. They explain that innovation is not always driven by technology. Sometimes it comes from simplifying processes, building trust, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas. The conversation also highlights the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and strong relationships in driving successful transformation within internal audit. 6:15 - Early Days at Goldman 7:45 - What Makes a Great Leader 9:55 - Feedback, EQ & Confidence 13:55 - The Human Side of Transformation 16:08 - Building DTCC's Audit Culture 18:58 - Leadership Behind the Scenes 23:27 - Strong Teams & Communication 25:36 - ERGs, Identity & Inclusion 27:48 - AI vs Human Connection 30:00 - Innovation That Actually Works 34:10 - Changing the View of Internal Audit 39:50 - Finding Your Voice 41:30 - Final Thoughts Be sure to connect with Aadesh and Idania 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 285: How MIT Leaders Are Building AI That Works w/ Michelle Jackson and Edgar Berrio (MIT)
May 2600:34:25Summary readyThis week, Michelle Jackson and Edgar Berrios, internal audit leaders at MIT, join the show. Drawing from their work at MIT, they share a practical perspective on how AI is being integrated into the audit process. Their approach goes beyond the technology itself, emphasizing the importance of guidelines, mindset, and human oversight to create AI solutions that are effective and responsible. The conversation explores how AI is transforming audit teams today. From defining agentic AI to practical use cases like drafting audit findings and improving communication, Michelle and Edgar break down what's actually working in practice. They also discuss the importance of clear governance and human review to ensure quality outputs. The episode also includes a real-world walkthrough showing how to build an AI agent using Copilot. Be sure to connect with Michelle and Edgar on LinkedIn. 1:32 - Best Chat prompts 5:10 - Agentic AI Explained 7:00 - Prioritizing Company Use Cases for Agentic AI 10:20 - Developing Guidelines and Guardrails for Agentic AI 14:23 - How to Build an Agent 25:55 - Drafting an Audit Finding 32:17 - 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.
SummaryThe 2026 Audit Analytics and AI Conference Spring
May 1900:03:54Summary 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
May 500:22:14Summary 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)
Apr 2800:42:04Summary 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.
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