Congratulations! You have found the Audit Blog for Ramaley Group. This blog will give you a front-row seat to the kinds of thoughts that are revolutionizing Internal Audit. We will be discussing topics ranging from audit culture to auditor career progressions. You will find innovative audit methodologies and “traditional audit” pitfalls. We will take a hard look at the well-trodden paths and introduce some new ones as we look at the world through audit lenses. Some of our posts will make you laugh, while others will make you shake your head and say “so true.” In all cases, our posts will make you think. Our goal is to challenge traditional views, helping today’s auditor to think more like tomorrow’s and less like yesterday’s.
Before we get too far, some introductions are in order. My name is Ken Ramaley. Here?s my bio. In 2011, I left my Corporate Audit role and decided to strike out on my own to be an audit revolutionary. The last 8 years have been a fascinating ride and have helped me realize that the audit profession is fundamentally the same as it was in the days of Noah and the Ark:
Giraffes? 2, check! Elephants? 2, check! OK, that’s all? time to sail.
Simple task, limited value, and the auditor goes home with a paycheck, while the business wonders why they wasted their time on this. Sound familiar?
I’ve always believed that auditing is one of the most Noble professions anyone can choose. An auditor is free to focus on true value for the company. Auditors have a direct line to the Board of Directors and a huge megaphone to amplify legitimate concerns. All too often, though, auditors miss this opportunity. It’s easy to run down a list and highlight discrepancies – but there must be more to life than nitpicking middle management! (Senior Management sure thinks so). But this is how it’s always been done, right? As the saying goes, “Audit comes in after the battle and shoots the wounded.” Doesn’t sound too noble to me.
If you’ve gotten this far, you are ready to join me on our journey to restore the nobility our profession so deeply deserves. In the weeks to follow, we will discuss both tactical and strategic ways to instill an audit-centric culture within your company, a noble culture within your audit department, and a sense of fulfillment in every auditor. Put away your green visors and satchels – welcome to the revolution!
With apologies to Prince, “We used to count on heroes now we’re tired of working overtime?. We’re no longer gonna audit like it’s 1999!