Monthly Update on IIA Headquarters' Activities
Greetings from Sweden.
It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that Kevin Mayeux will be leaving The IIA on June 30th to become CEO of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Kevin has served The IIA well over the past five years – most recently, as you know, as our Executive Vice President, Chief Officer for North American Operations, and General Counsel. This is an incredible opportunity for Kevin, one that reflects his many successes here at The IIA, particularly as an ambassador for our organization. In his multiple roles at The IIA, Kevin was instrumental in assisting in the development of the North America, Global and HQ strategic plans in order to align resources to goals; growing North America membership to an all-time high; enhancing and enforcing our intellectual property around the world; and producing net contributions above budgeted amounts, bolstering our financial resources.
As you know, Kevin’s announced departure comes in close proximity to the departure of David Polansky, our previous CFO and COO of Global Operations. As I advised you in my April update, David left to become the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO of AAA (the American Automobile Association). On the one hand, the departures of these two outstanding executives will leave a significant void and create short-term risks for our organization which I will incorporate into my quarterly risk assessment update and discuss with you in Vancouver. However; I believe the fact that both of these executives were tapped for promotions in other large professional associations is a natural consequence of the trajectory The IIA has been on as an organization. From the time I became CEO in 2009, I have strived to create and sustain a “high performing” culture in The IIA Headquarters. And high performing organizations inevitably become the pipeline of talent for those who have the same aspirations. We have repeatedly recruited strong performers from other organizations in recent years. The IIA’s performance over the past five-years was bound to attract the attention of other organizations who want to replicate our success. So, the fact that David and Kevin were recruited to much more lucrative assignments should be a source of pride and encouragement to all of us. I certainly view it that way!
We are currently interviewing a number of outstanding candidates for COO of North America, as well as for a new COO of Global Operations. In addition, Korn Ferry, the global search firm that has helped us with a number important searches over the years, has identified several outstanding candidates for a new CFO. I will apprise you of any developments in filling these executive roles as appropriate, and I will bring you up to date on the overall status of these searches during our meeting in Vancouver.
I’d like to update you on other key developments from Global HQs:
European Visits Prove Valuable. Over the past two weeks, I have been undertaking a long-scheduled trip to the U.K., Lithuania, and Sweden to meet with a wide range of volunteers, institutes, members, and internal audit practitioners. In my role with the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), in the U.K. I attended a bi-annual meeting of the IIRC. The IIRC is making important strides, and our presence is making a difference. In Lithuania, I attend the IIA-Lithuania Conference, where I delivered a global status update about the internal audit profession. I also met with government auditors to discuss how to enhance relationships and communication among internal audit’s stakeholders, especially external auditors. And later this week in Stockholm, I will join IIA Global Chairman Anton van Wyk and other Global Board members to attend the Nordic Light Audit Executive Seminar, where we will deliver presentations and lead discussions for CAEs from across the region. I will speak about the 21st Century Attributes of High Performing Internal Audit Departments, and give a lecture on “Internal Audit 2020: Ascending to New Heights.” I sincerely appreciate the institutes and volunteers who have spent so much time to organize these events. This offers a valuable opportunity to learn about and better understand the needs of our members so that IIA Global may continue to collaborate toward delivering enhanced value to the profession and its stakeholders.
More from IIRC; Task Force Planned. I have the pleasure of continuing in my role as The IIA’s representative on the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), which as I mentioned met 28 May in London. The agenda included a discussion on the next phase of the IIRC’s strategy following the initial “breakthrough” period. The key areas of focus for the IIRC continue to be serving as a leading advocate for integrated reporting; promulgating good practice; encouraging adoption; leveraging the strength of its members and of their networks; and ensuring that the organization has a sustainable business model for the medium to long term. The IIA is committed to promoting integrated thinking and reporting to ensure greater transparency and sustainability. To this end, the executive committee has commissioned a task force to be led by Anton, which will begin its work later this year.
Attendance Growing for International Conference and Committee Meetings. Participation continues to build for the 2015 International Conference in Vancouver. With 1,760 registrants, we are closing in on our goal of 2,000 delegates for the 5-8 July event. We are experiencing record-breaking registrations for both the Sunday, 5 July, Welcome Reception at the Vancouver Aquarium and the Gala on Tuesday, 7 July. Committee meetings will immediately follow the conference, running through Friday, 10 July, with the Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, 11 July. Access the committee meeting registration page here. Meanwhile, we continue to seek speakers for keynote and concurrent sessions at the 2016 International Conference marking our 75th anniversary, scheduled for 17-20 July, in New York City. Presentations should discuss timely issues that impact the profession, offer new perspectives, and share insights and best practices. The deadline for Global Board members to submit speaker nominations is 10 June 2015.
IIA Signs Collaboration MoU with ACCA. I am pleased to report that I recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to formalize plans for collaboration that include offering a CIA challenge exam; exploring opportunities to jointly host events, collaborate on thought leadership, and share content beneficial to both memberships; and generating awareness of respective initiatives, including ACCA’s recognition of our Standards. The challenge exam offers qualified ACCA members the opportunity to attain CIA certification through a one-part, English-only challenge exam covering CIA-related content not already part of the ACCA exams. Registrations are being accepted 1 Aug. through 30 Sept., with the challenge exam offered only in November through PearsonVUE. Qualified ACCA candidates will receive a package price that includes exam application and registration fees, a customized version of the CIA Learning System materials covering the challenge exam content, and a one-year membership in the local IIA Institute. Institutes will have the option to offer customized training to ACCA-qualified members, if there is local demand. I look forward to reporting further on our joint efforts with ACCA and want to recognize the Global Advocacy Committee for its works in advancing this relationship.
2015 Global Council Summary Report Available. Following Global Council in Beijing, IIA staff collaborated with project champions to review institute leaders’ input from the meetings and develop the 2015 Global Council Summary Report. This report details challenges and opportunities from an institute perspective to help guide implementation of The IIA’s 2015-2020 Global Strategic Plan. In addition to the summary report, the 2015 Global Council website hosts presentations and photos from the event. The 2016 Global Council 2016 will be 16-17 July 2016 in New York City, in conjunction with The IIA’s 75th Anniversary International Conference and Committee Meetings.
Internal Auditor Magazine Is Out; Nominations Being Accepted for ‘Emerging Leaders.’ I hope you’ve had the opportunity to review the latest issue of Internal Auditor magazine, which published in print and online June 1. The publications staff once again delivered insight on issues affecting the profession. The magazine’s cover story, “Beyond the FCPA,” is highly topical, as Jonathan Marks of Crowe Horwath and Thomas Fox of Advanced Compliance Solutions look at several recent, high-profile corruption cases and the steep costs paid by the companies and people involved. In addition, the magazine has begun seeking nominations for this year’s Emerging Leaders recognition, focusing on young professionals making an impact on the profession. Those selected will be featured in the December issue and will be positioned to further drive improvements in content for the magazine. The group also will serve as a resource on issues and opportunities as part of our Diversity & Inclusion goal.
IPPF Relook-related Update. Thanks to each of you for your participation in the Committee Structure Exposure Survey from the IPPF Relook Steering Committee. Your feedback, along with input from current IPPF-related committee members, is being reviewed by the Steering Committee as it prepares its final proposal to the Executive Committee in June and to you in July. And, with the transition of Practice Advisories to Implementation Guidance being one of the more significant work streams coming from the approved changes to the IPPF, these efforts have commenced. It is anticipated that the first two Implementation Guides will be available in Vancouver, with quarterly releases on new Implementation Guides throughout 2015 and 2016.
New Practice Advisories on Quality Assurance and Improvement. The entire series of Quality Practice Advisories (PAs) has been updated to help the internal audit practitioner implement an effective Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP). Among the nine PAs released, two new Practice Advisories (1320-1 and 1322-1) provide guidance to the CAE on how to communicate results of a QAIP and disclose nonconformance with the Standards. Other revisions updated existing PAs that address internal assessments, external assessments, and self-assessments with independent validation (SAIV).
CCSA/CRMA Application Fee Waiver. IIA Global is offering a fee waiver in June to new candidates for the CCSA and CRMA programs administered by IIA Global. Some institutes that administer candidates directly have chosen to participate in this program, so interested candidates should check with their local institute. The waiver applies only to the application fee and not exam registrations fees, so it is for candidates who are not currently in the CCSA or CRMA programs. Applications must be submitted no later than 30 June to qualify for the fee waiver.
IIA Weighs in on IG Vacancies in Statement to U.S. Congress. I have previously reported on The IIA’s active role on behalf of U.S. members with the U.S. Congress in encouraging the independence of federal Inspectors General (IG) and ensuring they have access to the information they need to fulfill their statutory responsibilities. We have also continued to monitor vacant federal IG positions and send letters to the U.S. president and members of Congress encouraging swift action to appoint well-qualified individuals. We were specifically asked by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who is chair of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, to submit a written statement for a committee hearing, “Watchdogs Needed: Top Government Investigator Positions Left Unfilled for Years,” on June 3. The IIA’s statement, signed by me, was entered into the record.