In discussions of the need for companies to develop more integrated strategic
initiatives, professional organizations and thought leaders are not mentioning the
valuable role internal audit could play. Internal audit rarely has a seat at the strategic
table, in part because the function is perceived (often accurately) as lacking the
capabilities or technical skills requisite for playing a role beyond risk assessment and
mitigation. Internal audit must take steps to expand, measure, and communicate its
strategic value to the organization as a whole.