Internal Audit & Risk Advisory Services

Internal Audits

Internal audits provide an independent, objective evaluation of an organization’s operations, internal controls, and risk management processes. The goal is to identify areas for improvement, enhance efficiency, and help ensure compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and industry standards.

Our internal audit services are delivered using a risk-based approach that considers industry-specific risks, deep client knowledge, current regulatory trends, and key examiner hot topics, all within the organization’s defined risk appetite. We focus our efforts on the areas of highest risk and greatest impact to the organization, helping ensure audit activities are aligned with strategic priorities and tolerance for risk.

We assess financial and operational risks, test key controls, and evaluate process effectiveness across the organization. The result is practical, actionable recommendations designed to strengthen internal controls, improve governance, and support better decision-making.

Operational Audits

The objective of an operational audit is to evaluate and recommend improvements in:

• Overall operations
• A segment of operations
• Specific processes within a segment

In a typical engagement, which is more than just looking at the financial picture, we start by helping you define your desired state of operations (i.e., where you would like to be). Then we assess the current conditions (i.e., where you are now). Through an interactive process, we help generate ideas for improvements, evaluate the best solutions, and support you during implementation of the solutions. To the extent a particular solution requires training, we can help with that training or offer recommendations for other qualified trainers.

Internal Control Assessments

This service ranges from fine-tuning a specific part of your operations to a thorough evaluation of your system’s overall design and operating effectiveness. An organization’s system of internal control includes five components: 1) the control environment, 2) assessment of risk, 3) control activities, 4) information processing, and 5) monitoring. Most organizations have both formal and informal activities within these five areas.

Regulatory Compliance Services (Financial Institutions)

We help financial institutions navigate complex and evolving regulatory requirements with confidence. Our regulatory compliance services are delivered using a risk-based approach, focusing on areas of greatest exposure to help prioritize resources, strengthen controls, and reduce compliance risk.

We assist with compliance program development, regulatory reporting, policy and procedure reviews, and readiness assessments. Our team evaluates inherent and residual risks across key functions, identifies control gaps, and supports the design of effective mitigation strategies.

With a team of on-staff Certified Regulatory Compliance Managers (CRCMs), we bring deep technical expertise and a strong understanding of regulatory expectations, including what examiners are focusing on during reviews. This insight allows us to help clients proactively address potential concerns before they become findings, while ensuring compliance programs are both effective and efficient—delivering meaningful value for your investment. By aligning compliance efforts with risk levels, we help institutions strengthen oversight, enhance regulatory readiness, and operate with greater confidence.

FDICIA and Sarbanes Oxley Implementation and Testing (Financial Institutions)

We provide comprehensive support for FDICIA and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, helping organizations design, implement, and maintain effective internal control frameworks. Our services are tailored to strengthen financial reporting processes, ensure regulatory compliance, and support accurate and reliable financial statements.

We assist with control documentation, risk assessments, control design and implementation, and ongoing testing of key controls. Our approach includes interim testing throughout the year to identify and address control issues on a timely basis, reduce year-end surprises, and improve overall audit readiness. This continuous testing approach helps management remediate deficiencies earlier and maintain stronger, more reliable internal controls.

Our team evaluates compliance readiness, identifies control gaps, and provides practical recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Through a risk-based approach, we help organizations meet regulatory requirements while enhancing overall governance and internal control environments.

Fraud Assessments and Investigations

This service includes investigation of alleged fraudulent activities as well as assessing your organization’s current risk. We believe the best deterrent to fraud is a system of strong controls combined with education about identifying the warning signs of fraud. Since many of the controls that deter fraud can also help prevent unintentional errors, a fraud assessment engagement is a particularly valuable one.

Fraud investigation services can:

• Provide confidential investigations
• Assist your legal team with investigatory procedures
• Assist with internal investigations
• Lead a multi-disciplinary investigation team
• Preserve your cash
• Adopt “best practices”
• Reduce temptation
• Promote success
• Protect your organization’s reputation
• Identify misappropriation
• Promote a culture of honesty
• Create a positive workplace
• Enhance ability to recruit and retain high-quality employees
• Suggest ideas for deterring fraud
• Investigate allegations of fraud

Specific services:

• Fraud risk check-up
• Tests of antifraud controls
• Agreed-upon procedures
• Collaborative investigations
• Assistance with fraud policy
• Employee awareness training