Advertise on podcast: The Audit Podcast

In Episode 299, Trent Russell sits down with Richard Chambers, Senior Advisor for Risk and Audit at Optro, Chairman of the UNICEF Audit Advisory Committee, and award-winning author, to discuss the third edition of his book, Trusted Advisors: The Human Edge in the World of AI. They explore how internal audit teams can adapt to a world of constant disruption, why continuous risk assessment matters, and how AI can help auditors work more effectively without replacing the human judgment, curiosity, and skepticism the profession depends on. Richard also shares how he uses generative AI in his own work, why internal audit leaders need a strategy for adopting AI, and what the profession must do to remain relevant as technology changes the way audits are performed. Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

What does internal audit look like when an organization is under constant pressure? In this live episode of The Audit Podcast, Trent Russell sits down with Justin Noble, CEO at Virginia Tech, during the ACUA conference for the podcast's first live interview in front of an audience. Justin shares how his team is using AI and analytics to rethink internal control work, including building dashboards and finding new ways to use decades of audit reports. He also talks about why internal auditors need to build strong relationships without compromising independence, and what his audit committee means when it asks, "Are you going to help us or are you going to grade homework?" The conversation also covers the new topical requirements, peer reviews, talent management, athletics in higher education, and how internal audit can stay useful when organizations are facing difficult and rapidly changing circumstances. Plus, Justin shares what he would do with an unlimited audit budget: invest heavily in great managers and seniors, then give them the tools they need to do their best work. Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

Benford's Law is often one of the first analytics techniques internal auditors learn, but there is much more to it than simply looking for fraud. In this republished episode, Trent Russell talks with Daniel McCarville, a researcher focused on Benford's Law, about where the law came from, how it works, and how it can be used to identify unusual data, data-quality issues, control avoidance, and potential anomalies. Daniel also walks through applications involving earthquakes, law enforcement data, standardized test scores, suspicious financial transactions, and Power BI. They discuss why Benford's Law should not automatically be treated as a fraud detector, how breaking large datasets into smaller groups can make analysis more useful, and why auditors still need to apply their own judgment after analytics identify something unusual. The episode also looks at how Benford's Law is being used outside of internal audit and how newer approaches are expanding what auditors can do with the technique. Daniel will also be presenting on Benford's Law, AI, and Power BI at the Audit Analytics & AI Conference on October 21–22. Modern Benford's LawState of the Art Techniques for Audit and Compliance Professionals Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

AI is changing the way internal audit teams work, but understanding how to use AI agents effectively requires more than simply adopting new tools. In this episode of The Audit Podcast, Trent Russell sits down with Rich Penfil, former data science manager of I Audit Ops at PayPal and founder of Assure Swarm, to discuss how AI agents are reshaping internal audit. Rich explains how he uses AI in his personal life, why auditors should focus on reimagining their methodologies and workflows, and the importance of balancing automation with human oversight. They also discuss agent permissions, the risks of the "Lethal Trifecta," upskilling, and why separating your knowledge base from your AI engine can help future-proof your approach. Timecodes: 02:50 AI in personal life 05:11 AI and the future of internal audit 06:20 Proactive AI workflows 07:35 Build versus buy 09:29 Human oversight 12:33 Upskilling auditors 13:36 AI agent security 15:43 Knowledge base versus engine 16:57 Audit Innovation Challenge 18:11 Final Thoughts The conversation also explores how auditors can move beyond AI pilots and begin building practical, governed workflows that create lasting value. Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

In this repeat episode of The Audit Podcast, Trent Russell revisits his conversation with Scott Madden, former Chief Audit Executive and former Senior Product Marketing Manager and Market Advisor at AuditBoard, and now founder and president of Arc Hybrid. Scott and Trent discuss the human side of internal audit, including building relationships with stakeholders, creating rapport, hiring for character, navigating cost cutting and turnover, and building an internal audit function from the ground up. They also explore how teams can think differently about technology, risk, and the skills needed to build stronger audit functions. Scott will also be speaking at the Audit Analytics and AI Conference on October 21st and 22nd. His sessions will cover the dual AI engine audit lifecycle model, platform agnostic zero code methods for running a hybrid audit process, and how to evaluate when to build custom AI solutions versus relying on existing software architecture. The conference is virtual and available on demand. Timecodes 00:00 Introduction + Audit Analytics and AI Conference 02:38 AI and the Human Element 09:08 Building Relationships and Stakeholder Engagement 17:52 Hiring, Character and Team Building 25:44 Cost Cutting, Turnover and Organizational Risk 32:33 Building an Internal Audit Function 40:41 Scott's Career, Arc Hybrid and Lessons Learned 44:45 Final Thoughts Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

This week on The Audit Podcast, Bill Engelhaupt, author of The Productive Auditor and founder and principal of Auditology LLC, joins the show to discuss how internal audit professionals can take back control of their time, reduce distractions, and build more productive audit teams. Bill explains why productivity isn't simply about getting more things done. It's about protecting your attention for the work that matters most. He shares how interruptions, fragmented work, and constant notifications can turn a task that should take 20 or 30 minutes into an hour, and why creating dedicated blocks of uninterrupted time can make such a difference. Bill also breaks down his approach to the "Power Hour," a protected block of time where teams agree to eliminate interruptions and focus entirely on getting important work done. He explains how audit leaders can establish this as a team norm and why it can be just as valuable for managers and leaders who need uninterrupted time to review and complete work. The conversation then shifts to prioritization and productivity for audit leaders. Bill explains why teams can fall into the trap of cherry-picking easier tasks while more important work gets pushed aside. He shares how sprints, daily huddles, and clear team priorities can help auditors stay focused on the work that matters most. Bill also discusses psychological safety and its role in high-performing audit teams. He explains why auditors and clients need to feel comfortable speaking up about problems and concerns, and how leaders can create an environment where people feel safe sharing uncomfortable information. He also introduces the idea of a pre-mortem as a way to identify potential problems before an audit begins. The conversation also covers building trust with audit clients, including why auditors should focus on asking questions that encourage real information rather than simply confirming what they already expect to hear. Bill explains why asking "why?" can sometimes put people on the defensive and offers a better approach for getting people to open up. Finally, Bill shares practical strategies for managing distractions, from turning off Slack and Teams notifications to putting your phone away and preparing your workspace before starting a focused work block. He also discusses the growing challenge of AI as both a productivity tool and a potential distraction. 03:36 Why Interruptions Are Killing Productivity 05:01 How to Protect Your Attention 06:06 The Power of 90-Minute Work Blocks 08:55 How Fatigue Impacts Audit Judgment 11:29 Why Slack and Teams Make Work Take Longer 12:32 Why Humans Are Wired for Distraction 13:27 When AI Becomes a Productivity Distraction 15:13 What Audit Leaders Should Protect Their Time For 16:54 How to Prioritize the Work That Matters 19:20 The Role of Psychological Safety in Audit Teams 23:05 Using a Pre-Mortem to Identify Problems Early 24:13 How to Build Psychological Safety With Audit Clients 25:44 Asking Better Questions During an Audit 26:33 Why You Should Stop Asking "Why?" 27:53 The One Thing Audit Leaders Can Do Tomorrow 29:27 Practical Ways to Protect Your Focus 32:06 Breaking the Habit of Checking Your Phone 34:12 How Productivity Can Give You Your Life Back Be sure to connect with Bill Engelhaupt on LinkedIn and check out The Productive Auditor and his other resources for practical advice on productivity and internal audit. Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

This week on The Audit Podcast, Rania Bijlani, Founder & CEO of RB Advisory & Consultancy, joins the show to discuss how internal audit leaders can prepare for the future of the profession, embrace AI without losing human judgment, and build stronger partnerships across the organization. Rania explains why auditors need to move beyond simply using AI tools and start thinking about how they can audit AI, govern its use, and become part of the strategic conversation around AI. She breaks down the three biggest risks she sees for auditors: failing to learn AI, using it only superficially, and becoming overly reliant on it. She also explains why discernment and judgment will become even more important as AI takes on more of the work. Rania also shares her approach to helping internal audit teams become AI-ready, emphasizing that training alone isn't enough. Teams need a strategy, an actionable plan, and implementation support to turn what they learn into meaningful change. The conversation then shifts to one of Rania's biggest areas of expertise: building trust, influence, and real partnerships within the organization. She breaks down the foundation of trust, why credibility and shared purpose matter, and how auditors can move beyond policing the business to becoming true partners. Finally, Rania shares the biggest lesson she's learned from hosting her own podcast, Impact Legacy with Rania: across industries and leadership roles, it is the human skills — authenticity, self-belief, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building — that truly make leaders stand out. Check out Rania's podcast - Impact Legacy with Rania    04:35 Will Auditors Survive AI? 07:02 The Three Biggest AI Risks for Auditors 08:00 Why Auditors Need Discernment, Not Just Judgment 09:24 Why Human Connection Still Matters 14:20 How Internal Audit Leaders Can Prepare for the Future 16:34 Why AI Training Alone Isn't Enough 18:04 How to Build Real Partnerships Within the Organization 19:38 The Foundation of Trust 21:16 Why Relationships Are Built Over Time 22:38 How Trust Builds Influence and Impact 24:12 Lessons From Hosting Impact Legacy 25:03 What Business Leaders Really Care About 26:06 Why Human Skills Make Leaders Stand Out 27:28 Rania's Advice for the Future of Internal Audit   Be sure to connect with Rania Bijlani on LinkedIn and check out RB Advisory & Consultancy for more resources on internal audit, risk, governance, leadership, and AI readiness.   Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

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.

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This week on The Audit Podcast, Tim Buckley, founder of Beyond the Lines, joins the show to interview Trent Russell, founder of Green Skies Analytics, about how AI and analytics can fundamentally change the way internal audit teams operate. Trent explains why audit leaders need to move beyond isolated AI use cases and think about how technology can reshape the entire audit operating model. He breaks down why teams need an AI and analytics methodology, how AI can improve planning and reporting, and why analytics should be focused on finding meaningful insights rather than simply increasing efficiency. Trent also shares real-world examples of teams using AI agents and orchestration to automate large portions of audit planning, explains how AI can help identify risks auditors may otherwise miss, and discusses the growing importance of human judgment and critical thinking as more audit work becomes automated. He also offers practical advice for audit leaders looking to overcome management resistance and start making meaningful changes today. 05:03 Why AI and Analytics Matter for Audit Leaders 06:18 Why You Need to Rethink the Audit Operating Model 08:21 Isolated AI Use Cases vs. Real Transformation 11:17 Where AI and Analytics Are Overhyped and Underused 16:27 How AI Can Change Audit Planning 19:30 Using AI and Analytics to Improve Audit Quality 23:13 How AI Can Transform Audit Reporting 26:01 Why Auditors Need to Protect Judgment and Critical Thinking 34:47 Governance and the Human-in-the-Loop 43:50 What Audit Leaders Can Change in the Next 30 Days Be sure to connect with Trent Russell on LinkedIn and check out Green Skies Analytics for more resources on audit analytics and AI. 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by Green Skies Analytics, the services firm that helps internal audit teams make analytics actually work. Whether your audit team needs help with an analytics or AI strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit analytics, visit Green Skies Analytics to learn more and schedule a call.

What does it actually take to prepare your organization for AI? Is training your own AI model realistic? And why are data governance and process audits becoming more important than ever? In this episode of The AI on AI Podcast, Trent sits down with Brian Kuenzi to demystify open-weight AI models, model training, and the practical steps organizations should take before implementing AI at scale. They discuss why clean, well-governed data is the foundation of successful AI adoption, how process audits can uncover opportunities for automation, and why simply connecting AI to messy systems won't solve underlying business problems. Whether you're an internal auditor, business leader, or AI practitioner, this episode offers practical guidance on building an AI-ready organization—from strengthening data governance to designing workflows that allow AI agents to deliver real value. In this episode: What open-weight AI models are and who should use them What AI model training actually involves Why clean, structured data is essential for AI success How process audits prepare organizations for AI automation The importance of AI and data governance Why disconnected systems limit AI's potential Security, guardrails, and safely deploying AI agents in the enterprise Practical advice for building an AI-ready organization 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 check out the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel.

What are the best AI tools to use right now? Is Google Gemini finally catching up to Claude and ChatGPT? And what are open-weight AI models—and why is everyone suddenly talking about them? In this episode of The AI on AI Podcast, Trent sits down with Brian Kuenzi to discuss how their AI workflows have changed, why Gemini has become Brian's go-to personal assistant, and how businesses should think about choosing AI models. They also explore Anthropic's Co-work updates, Microsoft's AI strategy, and why open-weight models could be the next major shift in enterprise AI. Whether you're an internal auditor, business leader, or simply trying to keep up with the rapidly changing AI landscape, this episode breaks down the latest developments in a practical, easy-to-understand way. In this episode: • Why Brian switched from Claude to Gemini • Claude vs. ChatGPT vs. Gemini • Anthropic Co-work updates • Microsoft's evolving AI strategy • What open-weight AI models are • Why model-agnostic AI is the future • Practical advice for implementing AI in your organization 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.

Links: Tom McLeod's post   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.

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This week on The Audit Podcast, Martin, Head of Internal Audit at Reddit, joins the show to discuss why the opportunity for internal audit is bigger now than ever and how auditors can move from backseat drivers to helpful copilots.   Martin shares how he learned Reddit's complex digital advertising business by being a humble "sponge". He explains his unique hiring strategy—hiring for a "major" in deep technical craft (like data science or engineering) and teaching the "minor" of audit later. He also breaks down his approach to navigating tough risk conversations and reveals how his team uses generative AI to automate 70% of their recurring SOX testing.   02:32 How Martin Uses AI in His Personal Life 03:45 The One Thing Every Auditor Should Do 06:06 How to Learn a New Business Quickly 07:30 Why Internal Audit Has Its Biggest Opportunity Yet 10:13 Rethinking Audit Hiring: Specialists Over Traditional Auditors 14:12 Teaching Audit Skills to Technical Experts 16:12 How to Have Tough Conversations About Risk 18:04 AI Use Cases Inside Reddit's Internal Audit Team 21:24 Final Thoughts   Be sure to connect with Martin 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.