Internal Audit

Expansion and growth present both excitement and challenges for a company. During such periods, new systems are introduced, processes are redesigned and refined, and employees are trained in the changes. Management may find that what worked before may not be effective or efficient anymore. These changes lead to an increased demand on the company’s internal…

Regulatory guidance for banks has become increasingly forceful. Recent developments are making it clear that should is to be interpreted as shall. Financial institutions are working to establish compliance frameworks to meet these standards. It is critical that your organization develop a strategy for how to assess compliance with applicable guidance and enhance your enterprise…

Overview of Internal Controls and Their Importance We live in a fast-paced and rapidly-changing business environment focused on innovation and efficiency.  With new systems, means of access, and growth, it is critical that your organization consistently reviews and updates its internal controls, policies and procedures. This needs to be done to stay ahead of the…

Is your organization required to comply with certain state, federal or industry regulatory guidelines? Are you ready for your next compliance audit? Navigating the sea of regulations that exist today can be cumbersome and costly for businesses, which often do not devote sufficient resources towards compliance audit readiness. Noncompliance, however, can cost more time and…

This article is featured in the Spring 2018 issue of NJ Banker Magazine. Stop and think about this: We keep hearing about innovation in just about every facet of our life. Everywhere you look or turn, the word innovation seems to be there. It’s an agenda topic in most board rooms and is causing some level…

Banks continue to receive demand letters from attorneys claiming that their websites are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Should you be worried? In this article, we will summarize the current situation on ADA so you can decide and prepare accordingly. Purpose of the ADA The ADA prohibits discrimination and…

Internal audits serve to provide independent assurance that a company’s risk management, governance and control processes are operating effectively, and address issues that are fundamentally important to the survival and prosperity of the organization.  For example, internal auditors often look beyond financial information and consider broader issues such as the company’s reputation, competitive landscape, environmental…

Unfortunately for financial institutions, there are universal business truths that do not go away with time, trends or wishful thinking. Insider abuse is one of those truths, as it is a topic that many banks have dealt with in the past or may deal with in the future. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that…

In a fast-changing business environment, it is imperative that an organization’s internal audit department adapt and evolve in order to stay relevant to key stakeholders. In recent years, there have been major changes in corporate directors’ and managements’ expectations of internal audit — they are demanding far more from the function. There is no doubt…

Internal audit, when properly implemented, is an essential element to assist your financial institution in discovering control weaknesses, regulatory and policy violations, and operational inefficiencies. Such self-scrutiny provides an institution with the ability to take timely, corrective action when needed to maintain its safety, soundness, profitability and integrity. Risk Assessment Proper implementation of an effective…