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Pulse of Internal Audit

This yearly report has gathered insight from leaders in the profession through the annual Pulse of Internal Audit Survey since 2011. Each survey collects information about established and emerging issues, and other topics of importance to the profession and internal audit management.

The survey results are compiled in separate comprehensive reports exclusively for North America and global internal audit practitioners and their stakeholders. Beginning in 2016, additional in-depth reports called Pulse Solutions were introduced to provide CAEs with information to address Pulse findings. 

The 2020 North American Pulse of Internal Audit “Bridging Critical Gaps” goes back to its roots. Internal audit leaders will find a renewed and deeper focus on audit plan allocations, risk levels, staffing, reporting lines, and audit function maturity. We encourage you to read this year’s Pulse report alongside the 2019 American Corporate Governance Index (ACGI) and OnRisk 2020 report. Taken together, these publications offer a comprehensive picture of key risks, the health of organizational governance, and the state of the internal audit profession.

North American Reports

2021 North American Pulse of Internal Audit  2021 Many Sides of Crisis

COVID-19 continues to pose significant health and economic challenges as it enters its second year. The impacts on organizations and their internal audit functions have been varied. The 2021 North American Pulse of Internal Audit: Many Sides of Crisis provides a unique benchmark into the diversity of COVID-19’s effects.

Access the 2021 report now!

2020 North American Pulse of Internal Audit  2020 Bridging Critical Gaps

The 2020 North American Pulse of Internal Audit goes back to its roots. Internal audit leaders will find a renewed and deeper focus on audit plan allocations, risk levels, staffing, reporting lines, and audit function maturity

Access the 2020 report now!

2019 North American Pulse of Internal Audit  2019 Defining Alignment in a Dynamic Risk Landscape

By leveraging insights from this year’s Pulse, CAEs can better inform stakeholders about potential underperformance in four key risk areas and take advantage of recommended strategies for identifying and addressing any areas of weakness or misalignment that may exist in their organizations. By having the discussion with the audit committee, concerns are put on the record for action. As in previous years, the survey results also offer valuable benchmarking information on audit plans, staffing, and outsourcing. The report this year also features three-year audit plan trends with breakouts by organization types.​​

Access the 2019 report now!

2018 North American Pulse of Internal Audit  2018 The Internal Audit Transformation Imperative

In today's business environment, disruptions are bigger, faster, and require responses that are quicker and more fluid. In the 2018 North American Pulse of Internal Audit report, The Internal Audit Transformation Imperative, The IIA's Audit Executive Center delves into Agility, Innovation, Talent, and Engagement with the Board, and provides insight on how internal audit must transform itself to stay relevant to stakeholders in response to changes and disruption occurring throughout the world.  ​​

Access the 2018 report now!