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On the Frontlines: Channeling Our Inner 007

Blogs ​​​Maja ​​Milosavljevic, ​CIA, CRMA, CCSA, CFE Feb 04, 2025

Many folks who haven't dipped their toes into the world of internal auditing have some subjective assumptions about the profession. They might think that anyone can be an internal auditor or that auditors have it easy, barely work, and spend time hovering over their colleagues' shoulders.

Well, those assumptions couldn't be more off the mark. Being a top-notch internal auditor demands a trove of knowledge, expertise, and experience. In fact, some of the skills and experiences of expert auditors are reminiscent of that fictional jack-of-all-trades and international man of mystery, James Bond — with some mundane, notable exceptions! So, cue the 007 theme song, slip on your sunglasses, and buckle up as we dive into some of the more intriguing requirements of this fascinating job.

Inductive and deductive skills. People often think analytical skills are the bread and butter of internal auditors. While that's true, inductive skills are the secret sauce. James Bond is a master of inductive reasoning, and it allows him to recognize patterns, find solutions, and survive impossible scenarios. While you may never use your inductive reasoning skills to, say, outwit a criminal mastermind, seeing the big picture is just as important as diving deep into the details.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Secret agents can blend in when necessary, and every internal auditor likewise needs to be a communication chameleon, adapting to introverts, extroverts, worriers, optimists, pessimists, and everyone in between. Mastering the art of making people feel comfortable and safe to speak up is key.

Multitasking. In a perfect world, internal auditors would tackle one topic at a time. But in reality, they're juggling more tasks than MI5 has cool gadgets. Audits overlap, follow-ups are constant, and special topics and advisory services pop up like surprise party guests — or evil henchmen.

Being alert for fraud. Internal auditors always need to be on the lookout for potential fraud. In the world of James Bond, the bad guys are often good at dressing up and masking their true intentions — just like some fraudsters. Professional skepticism is essential, but it shouldn't turn into an obsession. Balance is the name of the game.

Being mobile. Internal auditors might find themselves jet-setting as part of the job. However, you can probably cross the craps table at Monte Carlo off the list. While most people dream of long days at the beach when they hear "traveling," the reality for internal auditors is a whirlwind of effort, hard work, and meticulous organization. Even when they're at the coast, auditors might be so busy that the only waves they see are in their spreadsheets.

Language skills. Internal auditors today are like international spies, working globally and needing to crack codes in multiple languages. Having a few extra languages up their sleeves can be a game-changer. And let's not forget the modern technology that swoops in like a trusty sidekick to help with translations. Who knew auditing could be so multilingual and tech-savvy?

Having empathy for others. Despite the stereotype of auditors being strict and sticking to hard facts, empathy provides a human touch. Clients will appreciate auditors who have a good grasp of soft skills and company culture. Unlike 007, our work doesn’t usually involve life and death and our stakeholders really aren’t out to get us — and neither should we be. Internal auditors have to balance the need to complete objectives with the need to work well with others.

Just like any other profession, internal audit has its pros and cons. To be real, it comes with its fair share of challenging requirements. On the flip side, it offers a level of professional satisfaction that can make you feel like a superhero in a suit.

After ticking off this short list of skills and experiences, it's safe to say that the most crucial task for any internal auditor is to enjoy the variety of the job. Each day in the life of an internal auditor is a new adventure, and it's up to you to find your own fun in the mix.

​​​Maja ​​Milosavljevic, ​CIA, CRMA, CCSA, CFE

Maja Milosavljevic is director of internal audit in Vienna and a 2015 Internal Auditor Emerging Leader.