Hire Quality Auditors & Optimize Their Value

Hire Quality Auditors and Optimize Their Value

Think of your audit department as a garden. To yield a robust harvest, you need to plant the right seeds (hire the right people) and nurture them. But how well is your garden growing? Answer these questions to find out:

Does Audit Management Look Over the Long-Term Horizon (3-5+ Years) to Assess Future Resource Needs, Risks, and Opportunities?

Just as a gardener plans crop rotation years in advance, audit management needs to think ahead about the members of the audit team. This long-term view prevents resource shortages and helps anticipate challenges, ensuring the garden stays productive.

What is your staff turnover rate?

A healthy turnover rate means your garden is renewing itself, but too much turnover could indicate poor soil—something in the environment needs to be addressed.

Is There a Pipeline for Recruiting for Vacant or New Audit Positions?

Having a strong recruitment pipeline is like having a well-stocked shed of seeds. It ensures that when a spot opens in your garden, you’re ready to plant something new immediately.

How Long Does It Take to Fill a Vacant or New Audit Position?

The quicker you can fill a vacancy, the sooner your garden can continue growing.

To What Extent Is Staff Compensation Competitive in the Local Job Market?

Competitive compensation is like quality fertilizer—necessary for robust growth. Without it, your plants may struggle, or worse, seek better conditions elsewhere! And low salaries make it hard to attract good talent.

To What Extent Do New Hires Have Relevant Education and Experience?

The education and experience of new hires are akin to selecting seeds suited to your soil. The more relevant their background, the faster they’ll take root and contribute to the garden’s health.

To What Extent Do New Hires Have Professional Certifications?

Professional certifications are like high-quality seeds—more likely to produce strong, healthy plants. When your new hires come with certifications, you know they’ve been through a rigorous process and are ready to grow and flourish in your garden. It’s like starting with a seedling rather than a seed, giving you a head start on growth.

Does the Audit Organization Have a Career Ladder?

A career ladder is like a trellis for climbing plants. It gives employees something to aspire to and gives them hope for a better future.

To What Extent Do Auditors Have Opportunities for Advancement?

Opportunities for advancement ensure your plants (employees) aren’t overcrowded or competing against each other for the same light. By giving them space and room to grow, you encourage a healthier, more vibrant department.

Does Audit Management Track Continuing Professional Education for the Entire Audit Team?

Tracking this education is like keeping a garden journal. It helps ensure that all plants are receiving what they need to grow strong and healthy.

To What Extent Is the Selection of Continuing Education Courses Relevant?

Relevant education courses are like choosing the right type of fertilizer. The more targeted and appropriate they are, the better your plants (auditors) will grow.

Do Auditors Receive Training in People Skills, Such as Leadership, Team Building, or Emotional Intelligence?

People skills are like the stakes that support growing plants. They ensure that auditors can stand tall and interact well within the team, leading to a more cohesive and supportive environment.

Do Auditors Receive Technical Training?

Technical training provides the specific nutrients your plants need. Without it, even the healthiest plants can fail to produce.

To What Extent Are Auditors and Managers Able to Choose the Training Courses They Take?

When employees can choose their courses, they’re more likely to engage with the material, leading to more vibrant growth.

Are auditors presented with a wide variety of learning opportunities?

Continuous learning adds nutrients that keep the garden fertile and productive.  Are auditors supported in Earning professional certifications, Conducting peer reviews, Speaking at professional association meetings and/or conferences, Writing for professional publications, Leading training courses, included in Mentoring programs, receiving 1-on-1 coaching, summariing Lessons learned meetings or other department or group meetings

To What Extent Are Auditors Assigned to Audits That Enable Them to Advance Their Skills?

Assigning auditors to the right projects is crucial for skill growth. Yes, it is nice to have team members who specialize in certain subject matters, but rotation into other subject matters keeps work interesting.

Does a Performance Evaluation/Feedback System Exist for Auditors?

A performance evaluation system is akin to regular pruning. It helps shape growth, corrects issues, and ensures that each plant can reach its full potential.

How Would You Rate the Performance Evaluation System for Staff and Management in Terms of Being Transparent, Fair, and Equitable?

A fair and transparent evaluation system gives staff a fair chance to improve, without favoritism or neglect.

Does Management Provide Clear Performance Feedback to Staff?

Clear feedback helps each auditor grow in the right direction, avoiding obstacles, and maximizing their potential.

How Would You Rate the Frequency of Performance Feedback?

Regular feedback helps auditors understand where they’re excelling and where they need to improve.  Keep in mind that the Harvard Business Review recommends 5 praises for every criticism.

To What Extent Do You Think Failure Is Handled as a Growth Opportunity?

Handling failure as a growth opportunity is like composting—turning waste into something that enriches the soil. When auditors learn from their mistakes, they and the department grow stronger.

In the end, managing an audit department requires careful planning, the right tools, and a commitment to nurturing growth. From hiring the right people and ensuring they have the support they need to grow, to providing ongoing education and opportunities for advancement, every element plays a vital role in the health of your audit team. With the right attention and care, your team can flourish, yielding a bountiful harvest of insights for your auditee for years to come.