Let’s face it—today’s Internal Audit teams are juggling more than ever. Rising expectations, shrinking timelines, and an explosion of data have pushed the function far beyond checklists and compliance.

This is where automation can help. Not just by speeding things up, but by transforming how audits are planned, executed, and delivered. Over the years, I’ve worked with clients navigating this shift—and here’s a simple, structured way I approach automation proposals for Internal Audit. It’s not about selling technology. It’s about showing what’s possible, starting small, and building momentum.

Start With Context, Not Tools

Before diving into dashboards or bots, pause. Understand the client’s world:

• • Are their audits still spreadsheet-driven or built on legacy systems?
  • Is their focus compliance-heavy or business performance–oriented?
  • What’s slowing them down—manual testing, delayed reporting, limited resources?
  • Is the team tech-curious or still warming up to change?

You can learn a lot from a few open conversations. Ask how they plan audits. Walk through their fieldwork process. Listen for frustration—that’s where the opportunity lies.

Look for High-Impact Wins

Automation doesn’t need to start with something massive. It’s about identifying repeatable, painful, or time-consuming areas and offering relief.

Some ideas I’ve pitched or seen work well:

Don’t aim for a perfect system—aim for useful. Something the team will actually use.

Build the Case Around Value, Not Just Features

When writing or presenting the proposal, I like to organize it like this:

• • Executive Summary: A clear view of the current state and what automation can unlock.
  • Current Assessment: What’s manual, where bottlenecks exist, and how the team’s capacity is affected.
  • Proposed Solution: Outline the automation tools or processes you recommend—whether it’s Alteryx flows, Power BI dashboards, or audit bots.
  • Benefits: Quicker audits, fewer errors, real-time visibility, and more time for root cause analysis.
  • Roadmap: Quick wins (0–3 months), mid-term goals (3–6 months), long-term vision (6–12 months).
  • Support Model: Who’s going to train, maintain, and support this once it’s live?

Show, Don’t Just Tell

Clients buy into what they can see. I’ve had the most success when I bring real examples to the table:

• • A bot that pulls access logs monthly and flags exceptions.
  • An Alteryx flow that tests segregation of duties in minutes.
  • A Power BI dashboard that tracks aging of findings across departments.

These don’t need to be complex—just relatable and relevant.

Paint a Picture of the Future State

People resonate with visuals. I often include simple before-and-after process maps:

Today: Manual data pulls → Excel testing → Email follow-ups → Static reports
Tomorrow: Auto-data extraction → Scripted testing → Dashboard tracking → Alerts & triggers

Even skeptics start to imagine what their workday could look like—and that’s when things click.

Anticipate the “Yes, But…” Questions

Every client has concerns. It’s our job to be ready:

• • “Will it work with our tools?” → Suggest plug-ins or no-code options.
  • “Is this expensive?” → Start with low-cost pilots.
  • “Who will maintain it?” → Offer a hybrid model (internal + external support).

Empathy goes a long way. Show that you’ve thought through their reality, not just your solution.

Bottom Line is Automation in Internal Audit isn’t about replacing people—it’s about empowering them. When done right, it frees up auditors to do what they’re best at: asking better questions, analyzing deeper, and guiding smarter decisions.

So whether you’re pitching automation to a client or championing it internally, start with value. Start with people. And let the technology follow.