Internal auditors serve a critical function in any organization. They assess internal controls, identify risks, and offer objective guidance to help your organization achieve its strategic goals. However, auditors are sometimes met with resistance, skepticism, or even hostility.
The language you use when interacting with internal auditors can dramatically impact your working relationship, audit outcomes, and ultimately the health of your organization’s risk management and compliance environment.
Two phrases, in particular, can derail productive conversations and negatively influence your organization’s ability to manage risk effectively. Let’s dive deeper into why you should avoid saying these two things and explore effective alternatives that can foster better collaboration.
Phrase 1: “I Can Handle This on My Own”
What This Phrase Signals
When you tell an internal auditor, “I can handle this on my own,” it may unintentionally communicate several negative messages:
- Lack of cooperation: Suggesting that you don’t see the value in collaboration with internal audit can undermine the trust and openness that the auditing process requires.
- Dismissiveness: It signals that you may perceive the internal audit function as unnecessary, redundant, or lacking in value.
- Overconfidence: It could imply you believe your knowledge is sufficient, and you may underestimate the complexity or risks involved.
Why Collaboration Matters in Internal Audit
Internal auditing is fundamentally a collaborative process. While auditors independently assess the controls and risks, their success depends on effective cooperation and input from the departments or individuals they’re auditing. Collaboration enhances the accuracy and effectiveness of audits by providing internal auditors with valuable context and nuanced insight into operational processes.
According to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), successful audits are almost always the result of robust dialogue and open information-sharing between auditors and stakeholders. Asserting that you can handle the issue alone restricts that dialogue and ultimately limits the effectiveness of the audit.
Risks of Rejecting Internal Audit Assistance
When you push away internal auditors, several risks emerge:
- Missed opportunities: Auditors often have unique perspectives from working across multiple departments, industries, or locations. Rejecting their input could mean missing out on proven solutions or innovative best practices.
- Undetected vulnerabilities: Internal auditors specialize in identifying hidden or overlooked risks. By saying you can manage alone, you risk remaining blind to potentially significant issues.
- Long-term compliance risks: Without auditor input, your approach may fail to align fully with regulatory or internal standards, leading to potential compliance issues or financial consequences down the road.
What to Say Instead
To foster better collaboration, you can phrase your message positively. For example:
- “I’d appreciate your perspective on this, but I’d also like to share how we’ve traditionally handled this process. Can we explore this together?”
- “Can you help me understand your approach so we can align better?”
Phrase 2: “I Don’t Trust Your Judgment”
What This Phrase Signals
Expressing distrust towards an internal auditor’s judgment can severely undermine your relationship and the entire audit process. Saying “I don’t trust your judgment” signals:
- Lack of respect: It communicates a lack of professional respect, potentially damaging working relationships.
- Creates adversarial dynamics: The auditor may view your interactions as defensive or confrontational, rather than collaborative.
- Reduces auditor morale: Auditors who feel mistrusted or undervalued may become disengaged or hesitant to communicate important findings.
The Importance of Trust in Auditing
Trust is foundational for the internal audit function. Auditors rely heavily on open and transparent communication to accurately assess and report findings. Trust fosters an environment where risks and concerns can be addressed proactively and productively, rather than defensively.
In organizations with high levels of trust between auditors and stakeholders, audits are more likely to lead to meaningful improvements. Conversely, low trust can result in defensive behavior, ineffective communication, and a general reluctance to address genuine risks.
Risks of Expressing Distrust
Expressing explicit distrust towards your auditor brings several risks:
- Loss of objectivity: A defensive auditor may unintentionally approach your area with increased skepticism or bias, making the audit more contentious and stressful for everyone involved.
- Communication breakdown: Distrust hampers open dialogue, reducing the overall quality of the audit findings and recommendations.
- Delayed action on risks: If distrust dominates interactions, auditors and stakeholders may become entangled in disagreements rather than addressing the real risks affecting the organization.
Constructive Alternatives
Instead of stating outright distrust, try these approaches to address legitimate concerns professionally and productively:
- Ask clarifying questions:
“Can you help me better understand how you reached this conclusion?”
“Could you walk me through your reasoning here?” - Provide specific concerns or evidence:
“I’m concerned about this finding because [specific reason or data]. Could we discuss it further?” - Suggest collaborative review:
“Let’s review your findings together to ensure we have the complete context.”
Additional Best Practices for Effective Auditor-Stakeholder Communication
To enhance your working relationships with internal auditors, consider these additional communication practices:
1. Maintain Transparency
Transparency fosters trust. Clearly communicate your processes, concerns, and insights to auditors. Being transparent makes it easier for auditors to do their job efficiently and reduces misunderstandings.
2. Embrace the Auditor as a Partner
Shift your mindset from viewing internal auditors as adversaries or inspectors to seeing them as trusted partners in achieving organizational goals. Auditors offer valuable outside perspectives, benchmark insights, and best practices gleaned from across your organization and industry.
3. Address Conflicts Professionally
Conflicts or disagreements are natural in audit processes. Address them proactively, openly, and professionally. Seek mutual understanding rather than winning an argument. Aim for shared solutions rather than “us versus them” dynamics.
4. Provide Constructive Feedback
If you feel that audit recommendations are off-target, share your feedback constructively. Explain your concerns clearly, provide evidence or examples, and collaborate on alternative approaches. Auditors welcome thoughtful feedback that helps them refine their approach.
5. Recognize Auditors’ Expertise
Respect the internal auditor’s expertise and experience. Acknowledge the role they play in safeguarding the organization. Recognizing their value can significantly enhance your working relationship and lead to more fruitful collaborations.
Final Thoughts: Cultivating a Productive Audit Environment
Language shapes perceptions. Choosing words thoughtfully when interacting with internal auditors is crucial to fostering effective relationships and ensuring meaningful audit outcomes.
Avoiding phrases like “I can handle this on my own” and “I don’t trust your judgment” helps maintain positive communication, productive collaboration, and a healthy organizational culture.
Instead, adopting more collaborative, open, and respectful language will significantly improve your interactions with internal audit, reduce tension, and enhance the organization’s overall risk management effectiveness. Remember, auditors are there to help the organization succeed, not to criticize or undermine your work.
By reframing your approach to communication, you help cultivate a robust internal control environment that benefits everyone.
Final Thoughts
In summary, clear, respectful, and collaborative communication with internal auditors is vital to effective audits. Avoid statements that convey dismissiveness or distrust, and instead focus on fostering a relationship built on transparency, respect, and mutual understanding. Doing so not only improves the audit process but also contributes positively to your organization’s broader strategic objectives.
Embrace internal auditors as allies, not adversaries, and watch as your organizational effectiveness, risk management, and overall success dramatically improve.
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