This is a post about my current audit reporting workflow. It's based on working with an Apple computer. Why Apple? Simple, the software becomes ubiquitous. In the many years I used Windows, I never felt the software was not there. With Apple, I have this all the time. It saves me hours each week because … Continue reading My audit reporting workflow on a Mac
Category: Stream of Consciousness
How Valve gets the new economy: treat your employees as the adults they can be
In a blog post about how Valve operations are significantly different from other environments he had worked for, Michael Abrash made some very astute observations about how our current creative economy is significantly different from anything that went before. He states: "almost all the value was in performing a valuable creative act for the first … Continue reading How Valve gets the new economy: treat your employees as the adults they can be
The challenges of establishing a centralized internal audit service in the Belgian federal administrations
Please note this is an opinion piece. There are some strongly held convictions which I voice here. My involvement in trying to establish internal audit in the Belgian federal governmentRecently, rumors have been building up again about a centralized internal audit service for the Belgian federal government. I think it would be a very bad … Continue reading The challenges of establishing a centralized internal audit service in the Belgian federal administrations
accountability to the customer
"With money, comes accountability to the customer." Mr Eddie Smith speaks true when he says this in his to the point analysis of Google relations with us, their users, not their customer. You can find the article here. One problem ... I get this feeling with a lot of services I purchase as well. The … Continue reading accountability to the customer
Are folders gates to procrastination?
Following Sven’s adviceI just did what I should have done a long time ago: I followed Sven Fechner’s advise. His “Simplicity is Bliss” blog is a wonderful resource for common sense productivity tips and other great Mac inspired ideas. But, back to my point. Mr. Fechner suggested that a simple folder structure in mailbox structures, … Continue reading Are folders gates to procrastination?
Working on a (creative) task versus working in a context (UPDATED)
For those not familiar with GTD, David Allen’s highly successful personal productivity approach, get this book (please note this is my affiliate link, you can of course log onto Amazon yourself), and read the first three chapters. It’s worth it, if only for the different way you’ll be looking at your work and your life. … Continue reading Working on a (creative) task versus working in a context (UPDATED)
Risk analysis in long term audit planning and audit preparation – part II
You can find part I of this article here. Phase 2 - Analysis at the level of the area of responsibility (auditable area)Internal audit’s responsibility for the proper application of risk based analysis in the preparation of its audit activities does not end with the multi-year audit planning or its actualisation. Each area of responsibility … Continue reading Risk analysis in long term audit planning and audit preparation – part II
Derek Sivers – No more yes
Derek Sivers is onto something with his post on decision taking in our current society which tends to overwhelm us. Read his entire post here. I really liked “When you say no to most things, you leave room in your life to really throw yourself completely into that rare thing that makes you say “HELL … Continue reading Derek Sivers – No more yes
Risk analysis in long term audit planning and audit preparation – Part I
The IIA standards require us to develop a risk based internal audit planning. There is however little material available on how organisations actually perform this. Organisations with good risk management systems can provide information from these approaches or systems to internal audit. However, if there are no risk management systems available, you will need to … Continue reading Risk analysis in long term audit planning and audit preparation – Part I
Working overtime again?
Let’s just keep in mind that working overtime is often just an excuse for not being very productive during the day. And given you are - often - being paid a fixed amount for your work, you actually literally devalue yourself.Think about that for a minute.By the way, do check the reference link in this … Continue reading Working overtime again?
Exploring The Black Box 