Ep 277: Key Risks, New Research, and the Future of the Profession w/ Anthony Pugliese (President of the IIA)

This week, our guest is Anthony Pugliese, President and CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Anthony joins the show as he approaches his five-year anniversary leading the IIA, reflecting on the major milestones and progress the organization has made during that time. He shares a look back at key initiatives from the past five years and discusses what the next phase could look like for the profession.

We also talk about several recent research efforts, including the 2026 Risk in Focus survey and the joint report with AuditBoard on AI driven fraud. Anthony highlights a few key trends auditors should be watching, particularly as organizations navigate emerging technology risks and evolving expectations around governance and oversight.

Finally, Anthony explains two initiatives aimed at strengthening the future of the profession: the Global Audit Committee Center, which supports stronger engagement with audit committees, and VisionU, a development program designed for new and aspiring chief audit executives.

Be sure to connect with Anthony on LinkedIn.

6:02 - AI Tips

11:03 - 5 Years as IIA President

14:32 - Strategy and the New Internal Audit Standards

14:32 - Why "Simple" Implementations Rarely Actually Simple

17:40 - Key Insights from Risk in Focus 2026 and the AI Fraud Report

21:50 - AI Literacy and Training in Internal Audit

24:26 - The Audit Committee Center

27:54 - How to Join the Audit Committee center

33:25 - Experienced CAE resources

35:35 – Final Thoughts

38:26 - Best advice for CAEs from Anthony Pugliese

Be sure to connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

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