Progress often moves in fits and starts and that is the case with next-generation internal auditing (IA), according to Protiviti’s 2020 Internal Audit Capabilities and Needs Survey. There is no doubt that the pandemic has highlighted the need for chief audit executives (CAEs) and their departments to act with agility, be more current, look deeper and anticipate risks earlier. The next-gen audit skills and knowledge on which we polled our survey participants can help internal auditors meet this newly highlighted expectation.

This article reviews the survey results and explains how CAEs can initiate and maintain next-generation IA capabilities in today’s dynamic environment.