Leveraging Internal Audit Findings to Drive Strategic Value

Let’s be honest - internal audit findings often get boxed in as "compliance work." A checklist of issues on the findings tracking sheet that needs to be closed off. A risk report to file. But here’s the thing - every audit finding is a seed. And if we’re thinking strategically, that seed can grow into something transformative. Internal audit findings aren’t the end of the road – they are the starting line. They hold insights that can unlock new opportunities, address residual risks, and even strengthen the foundation of an organization’s strategy. But to get there, we need to shift how we see the role of internal audit……. 

The future of audit isn’t about just spotting gaps. It’s about connecting the dots, anticipating what’s next, and delivering insights that actually drive the business forward. Audit findings should not be seen as an endpoint but as a starting point for broader value creation: 

Finding the Opportunities Others Miss Every audit finding tells a story - but it’s often incomplete. What’s beneath that IT access control issue? Maybe a broader problem with cybersecurity governance. What does a flagged operational inefficiency point to? Perhaps an untapped opportunity to optimize processes and drive cost savings.
This isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about diving deeper, exploring root causes, and discovering where the real risks - or opportunities - are hiding. 

Recommending Assurance Projects That Matter Not every audit needs to lead to another audit—but when it does, it has to mean something. Every assurance project should have a clear purpose: mitigating a key risk, enhancing controls, or supporting a strategic goal.
For example, an IT-related finding could pave the way for an enterprise-wide cybersecurity assessment, directly contributing to the organization's digital transformation strategy. Strategic audits aren’t just about fixing; they’re about building. 

Communicating the Value Clearly Here’s the reality: clients won’t buy into additional assurance projects unless they see the value. And it’s up to us to make it obvious. 

Risk reduction? Yes. 

Regulatory compliance? Of course. 

Operational efficiencies that save money and time? Absolutely. 

When clients understand how these projects impact their business, not just their compliance, that’s when they start seeing internal audit as a partner, not a police officer. 

The ability to extract additional value from internal audit findings represents a win-win opportunity. Clients benefit from enhanced risk management and governance, while internal audit functions solidify their position as strategic partners. It’s time to move beyond seeing audit findings as a list of issues to be addressed. Instead, they should be viewed as a powerful tool to create further value, mitigate risks, and contribute to the achievement of strategic objectives. By integrating internal audit insights into the broader organizational strategy, we can transform the role of internal audit from a compliance function to a value-creating partner.