When I started my audit career, there was a saying:
“If no one knows what to do with you, they put you in internal audit.”
It wasn’t always meant as a joke.
For decades, internal audit was misunderstood, undervalued, underfunded, and largely reactive. But that’s changed. Organizations now see audit not just as compliance, but as a key player in strategic decision-making.
Yet as the role of Chief Audit Executive (CAE) evolves, I’ve noticed a new challenge: more CAEs are stepping into the role without fully mastering the internal audit profession.
Here’s what I believe it really takes to excel as a CAE, beyond the job title.
1. Technical Expertise
Master the Global Internal Audit Standards.
Get certified. Understand the full lifecycle, from planning to execution. Strong CAEs have done the work. They know what quality looks like and how to build it into their teams.
2. Communication Skills
A great CAE doesn’t just report findings, they influence decisions.
Whether presenting to the board or coaching staff, communication is a leadership tool. You need to translate risk into action and data into insights that non-auditors understand and care about.
3. Servant Leadership
Support your team, develop them, and lead with humility.
CAE isn’t about control, it’s about capacity-building. The best audit leaders coach their teams, align them with the organization’s mission, and create space for innovation.
4. Operational Management
Secure the right resources.
Modern audit teams need more than checklists, they need tools, tech, and time. Managing capacity, budgets, workflows, and stakeholder expectations is part of the job.
5. Business Acumen
Understand how the business actually runs.
You can’t audit strategy if you don’t understand it. Great CAEs speak the language of business. They analyze trends, identify commercial risks, and position audits as a value driver, not just a watchdog.
6. Risk-Based Thinking
Focus on what matters most.
Strategic alignment is critical. The best audit leaders look beyond the audit plan and ensure risk assessments evolve alongside business priorities.
7. Integrity and Ethics
Lead with credibility, always.
Your integrity is your greatest asset. It sets the tone for the entire function. Without trust, audit loses influence. With it, you become a true advisor.
8. Continuous Improvement
Adapt fast and learn faster.
Audit is evolving. Stay curious. Embrace tech. Improve processes. Don’t just meet expectations, set new ones. A culture of improvement starts at the top.
Becoming a Complete CAE
Being a CAE isn’t about ticking off certifications or years of experience. It’s about becoming a leader who sees around corners, earns trust across the business, and builds teams that do meaningful work.
It’s not an easy path. But those who walk it well reshape the reputation of audit, transforming it from a cost center to a strategic asset.