Page 15 - IIA MAGAZINE_March 2017_English
P. 15
Interviews - FA
In the corporate context, what is Profession study (the “Study”) showed a “ So what are the characteristics
your definition of a leader? correlation between strong Internal Audit of an effective Internal Audit leader?
While you’re unlikely to find a single leadership and the ability of the Internal
definition of what is a leader, I would Audit Department to add value and deliver While an effective Internal Audit leader
define a leader as someone who has an strong performance. When stakeholders has many notable characteristic, my top
inspiring vision for his company and is perceived the Chief Audit Executive as an three characteristics would be:
able to effectively manage and motivate effective leader, in over 90% of the cases 1) Strategic thinking: This involves
his subordinates to work hard and align they viewed the Internal Audit Department
themselves with that vision. This requires as a value adding and high performing looking at the big picture of the
the leader to have both high levels of function. organisation and the Internal Audit
integrity as well as emotional intelligence. Function. Like any corporate leader,
“ Internal Audit the Internal Audit leader needs to
How has PwC developed leaders develop a vision for the Internal Audit
in the Middle East region? leaders who invest Department which is aligned to the
PwC is one of the largest companies in in themselves gain company’s strategy and stakeholders’
the world. We are a market leader in the the respect of their expectations. This is not done
Middle East who have been in the region stakeholder and through a Three Year Internal Audit
for over 40 years and we employ over plan - one needs an actual strategy
4,000 professionals across 12 countries and are a source of document, with objectives and key
work with the region’s largest and most inspiration to their measures which feed into the annual
prominent entities. We have used this team and peers and long term Internal audit plans.
position of strength to attract and retain Without this characteristic, internal
the best and brightest individuals in our How do stakeholders audit leaders cannot achieve strategic
region. We’ve leveraged our global career perceive the value internal alignment.
progression framework to provide our audit provides? 2) Communication skills: Internal Audit
staff with opportunities for international The 2017 Study which we just released leaders need to clearly communicate
assignments and experience. We’ve also shows a negative trend in stakeholders’ their ideas to engage stakeholders, to
actively promoted board and executive perceptions of the value provided by highlight key risks to the business and
education through events and through Internal Audit. This year only 44% of to manage staff. These leaders use
client projects. Also, we’ve invested heavily stakeholders believed their Internal Audit their powerful communication skills
in training GCC nationals, both clients and Departments provide them with value to exert influence beyond the Internal
staff, to prepare them for future leadership compared to 54% in 2016. When we Audit function and to enthusiastically
roles. I strongly believe that PwC has made dug a bit deeper we found out that even promote positive change.
a powerful and sustainable impact on the Internal Audit Departments which 3) Develops talent: This is about more
leadership capabilities in the Middle East. add value are expected to provide even than building your team’s skill but
more value each year. This means that about building the right skills that
Do you believe there is a correlation an effective Internal Audit leader should align to the business and Internal
between the value that an internal not be satisfied with the status quo and Audit’s vision! This also means
audit function generates and the should continue to evolve and meet, as well leveraging external resources as
effectiveness of its leader? exceed, stakeholders expectations. necessary to meet the organisation’s
Absolutely and this is not just my opinion. needs and to facilitate knowledge
Last year’s PwC State of the Internal Audit transfer to your team where required.
15 INTERNAL AUDITOR - MIDDLE EAST MARCH 2017
