Building a Better Auditor: The Power of Giving Back

A Coffee in New York

 “Hi Stacey, can we meet for coffee while you are in New York? I could use your help.”

At the time, I had been a CAE for just five years. The request came from a seasoned global financial services leader with 20 more years of experience than me. I remember wondering what advice I could possibly offer him.

The following Monday, I arrived at a small coffee shop in Manhattan. His company was in the middle of a regulatory exam, and the regulators were struggling to understand whether their model risk management activities were robust enough to protect the organization from harm. He, his company, and the industry needed help.

As it happened, I had just taken on a volunteer role with The IIA’s Global Financial Services Guidance Committee, a group that develops practice guidance for internal auditors around the world. The timing could not have been more perfect.

I connected with the guidance committee chair and worked to get the model risk management practice guide moved to the top of the list. Within months, our project team of experts, which I led, was gathering knowledge, tapping into global subject matter experts, and drafting what became the first edition of the Global Practice Guide: Auditing Model Risk Management, published in March 2018.

When the guide was released, I knew it would help auditors, regulators, and board members navigate a complex and critical risk area. And it all started with a cup of coffee — and with volunteering. 

Why I First Said “Yes”

My own journey with the IIA began with something much simpler. I wanted to get better at public speaking. As a CAE, I often presented to executives and boards, but I wanted the chance to speak in front of large audiences. Volunteering with the IIA gave me that.

Over the years, I’ve shared my perspectives and thought leadership at conferences and events, helped shape financial services audit guidance on key risks and issues, served as an advisor on the 2020 Global Three Lines of Defense rewrite, and even chaired the Audit Committee for the IIA’s Global Board of Directors. Each project deepened my skills, broadened my perspective, and expanded my network.

What Volunteering Gives Back

Looking back, the value of volunteering can’t be overstated. It amplifies everything we do as professionals, including:

Supercharging your network. That CAE I met in New York? Still a close colleague. The committee chair? A trusted ally. The member who brought me to my first IIA event? A lifelong friend. Through the IIA, I’ve built connections that continue to enrich my career and my life.

Keeping you on the leading edge. Volunteering with the IIA puts you at the center of emerging issues, giving you early insight into industry trends and practical solutions. That knowledge translates directly into serving your organization better.

Developing new skills. Whether it’s public speaking, collaboration, or leadership, volunteering stretches you in ways your day job may not. I’ve shared my perspectives with auditoriums filled with hundreds — even thousands — of people, something I never would have imagined earlier in my career.

Elevating your visibility. Volunteering showcases your expertise and your commitment, raising the profile of you, your audit team, and your company.

Making CPEs meaningful. Instead of just meeting a requirement, you’re earning credits while contributing to the profession.

Opening unexpected doors. That coffee in New York is proof enough — you never know what opportunities will come from giving your time and talent.

A Simple Truth

At its heart, volunteering is about more than professional growth; it’s about service to a profession you love. As author H. Jackson Brown Jr. once wrote, “The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

I can say without hesitation that giving back through The IIA has made me a happier, more fulfilled professional. It has given me friendships, opportunities, and experiences that I never would have had otherwise.

Your Turn

We are truly fortunate to be part of a profession supported by an organization like The IIA — one that connects us, strengthens us, and gives us a platform to grow into industry leaders.

So, if you’ve been waiting for the right time, now is the perfect time to get involved. Raise your hand, find your place, and discover just how much you get when you give.