Security News > 2023 > September > Exploring the traits of effective chief audit executives

Chief audit executives have identified risk orientation, stakeholder management, and team leadership as the top three characteristics of the most effective individuals, according to Gartner.

In April 2023, Gartner surveyed 114 CAEs across 180 areas to identify the most important measures of an effective CAE, and the six that were the most significant included: management satisfaction; CAE and audit department performance; perception of the CAE; audit engagement quality; CAE impact; and team engagement.

"In terms of CAEs being 'effective', it can ultimately be measured by important organizational risk outcomes, such as risk-informed decision making, the number of surprise risk events, recovery times after risk events, and delivering a coordinated risk response," said Tim Berichon senior director analyst in the Gartner Risk & Audit Practice.

Risk orientation results in the CAE's audit plan aligning with top enterprise risks, and audit's risk assessment aligning with other functions.

"Given the importance of risk orientation, it's also interesting to note that effective CAEs are more likely to actively participate in enterprise risk management."

"A vital characteristic of a high-performing executives is a strong rapport with stakeholders throughout the enterprise, and this is another main attribute found in the more effective CAEs.".

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https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/09/01/chief-audit-executives-cae-personal-effectiveness/