On November 20, 2024, industry professionals gathered at the Intercontinental Hotel, St George’s Bay for the first edition of the BDO Malta Internal Audit Forum 2024, to explore key topics in internal audit including how internal audit can step beyond traditional compliance roles to actively shape and create strategic value. The fully booked event brought together senior C-suite executives, Non-Executive Directors, regulators, and leaders in Internal Audit, Risk Management, and ICT Risk Management.
Themed “Internal Audit: Compliance Routine or Driving Value?”, the forum served as a platform for exchanging views and practical strategies to address the role of internal audit in addressing current and emerging business challenges. Throughout the day, discussions highlighted the growing importance of internal audit not just as a compliance function but as a strategic enabler for growth and resilience in an increasingly complex business environment.
Featuring a distinguished lineup of experts, three-panel discussions and In-Focus sessions, it delved into critical themes, including:
- Leveraging internal audit for strategic value creation
- The role of internal audit in fostering a culture of ‘antifragility’
- How internal audit can support cybersecurity and digital transformation, and
- The revolutionary impact of AI on Internal Audit.
The event featured thought-provoking Q&A sessions, providing attendees with the opportunity to gain deeper insights from the panellists and explore practical applications of the topics discussed.
Mark Attard, Group CEO and Partner at BDO Malta remarked, “The strong turnout and engagement at this first BDO Malta Internal Audit Forum demonstrate the growing recognition of internal audit’s strategic importance. This event provided a valuable platform for professionals to share insights, discuss common challenges, and explore opportunities to strengthen their organisations. It’s clear that internal audit is no longer just about compliance - it’s about enabling businesses to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.”
Ruban Thangaraja, Internal Audit Director at BDO Malta, added, “We are thrilled to have facilitated such an enriching discussion on the future of internal audit. As the landscape continues to shift, it is imperative for internal audit functions to move beyond compliance and establish themselves as strategic partners within organisations. The diverse perspectives shared today will undoubtedly inspire the business leaders and internal audit community to drive innovation and resilience in their respective industries”.
The BDO Malta Internal Audit Forum 2024 reaffirmed the importance of knowledge-sharing within the internal audit community, equipping professionals with actionable insights to navigate evolving risks and regulatory landscapes.
- BDO Malta Group CEO, Mark Attard
- BDO Malta Director of Internal Audit, Mr Ruban Thangaraja (right)
- Panel Discussion: Leveraging Internal Audit Insights for Strategic Value Creation
- Panel Discussion: Adopting an 'Anti-fragile' approach to navigate uncertainty
- Panel Discussion: From Compliance to Resilience - Internal Audit's Cyber Mission