The Gardener of Governance: A Call to Action for Effective Internal Auditing

This book builds on the popular GARDENER OF GOVERNANCE article, which enjoys amazing traction in the professional community globally and has been translated into 25+ languages. The Lenz and Jeppesen (2022) thought-piece introduced the 5 "Ps" as paths for the betterment of internal auditing: People, Public, Performance (Prosperity), Purpose (Profession) and Planet. These main fields of action and focus for the internal audit profession may determine the future role of internal auditing, its legitimacy, relevance and significance. The book aims to provide practical guidance for performing impactful internal audit assignments. Some readers will no doubt view the authors as unorthodox and the book may be a stretch for the purist, insisting on adherence to traditional rules.

It is pleasing to see that the new Global Internal Audit Standards advocate a pragmatic and holistic approach, which should further stimulate internal audit functions moving into uncharted territory that may require from them to become more resourceful in their approach as advocated for by the authors. This book is an inspiration and encouragement for all internal auditors who want to do better and aim higher, particularly the forthcoming generation of internal auditors who are open-minded and who may sometimes doubt themselves because of opposition or insecurity. We believe that internal auditors who absorb the knowledge and make it their own will benefit from this book on their career trajectory.

This easy read is relatable, engaging and convincing to support internal auditors globally who are seeking to widen their repertoire on their journey to become modern and effective internal auditors. This book is relevant and will be insightful to internal auditors, students and lecturers, as well as other stakeholders including senior and executive managers and board members. Drawing on Rainer’s vast practical expertise gained from over 300 audits in more than 50 countries, along with his series of publications and adding Barrie’s hands-on advice benefitting from 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, the authors create an interesting blend of creative authoring that challenges the status quo and advises emerging internal auditors on becoming more impactful and effective.

We’re dropping the pebble in the pond. Let’s see how far the ripples spread and to what effect.

Dr. Rainer Lenz, Corporate Audit and Financial Expert, University Lecturer, and Mentor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rainerlenz/

Google Scholar: https://lnkd.in/euwxX5yZ

Positive, high energy and hands-on leader. Finance and corporate audit professional with 30+ years of international experience as Regional/Divisional CFO and Chief Audit Executive in global organizations. Since 2007, Chief Internal Auditor with 300+ assignments in 50+ countries. PhD in Economics and Management Science from the Louvain School of Management in Belgium. Teaching Governance and Internal Auditing at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany). Awardee (5) as Global Internal Audit Thought Leader (by Richard Chambers). Winner of the Global IIA’s 2023 Bradford Cadmus Memorial Award. Author of a series of articles in peer reviewed journals.

Barrie describes Rainer as “Passionate and energetic, freely sharing his knowledge of and insights into the internal audit profession - a wild thinker, provocative, and he continuously challenges the status quo, which is the hallmark of a true thought leader. He was the first internal auditor I encountered who has these qualities”.

Barrie Enslin, Founder, Managing Director – Pro Optima Audit Services (Pty) Ltd (Pro Optima)

Bachelor of Accounting Science (North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa) - 1984

Certified Internal Auditor (TheIIA) – 1993

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrie-enslin-6934621b/

benslin@prooptima.co.za

Barrie has five years of accounting and 35 years of internal audit experience, both in South Africa and internationally. He identified the need for operational audits in the mining industry and decided in 1997 to start Pro Optima. Five of the eight biggest mining companies in South Africa now count under Pro Optima’s clients. Services provided include internal audit outsourcing and co-sourcing, second line assurance services, business process analysis, and other consulting work. Pro Optima has contributed over 2.5 billion South African Rands (ZAR), i.e., ±USD 170 million (considering exchange rate fluctuations) in quantified value added to its clients, with approximately 40% of its projects showing significant quantified value adding, mostly recoupment and prevention of overpayments to vendors and institutions, reduced pricing, curbing of wasteful spending, and improved efficiencies.

Rainer describes Barrie as follows: “The Pro Optima success story is attributable to the team leveraging on the often-unexploited power of internal auditing. Barrie is pragmatic, does not stick to the script, and aspires to seek a fine and healthy balance between a systematic approach and the freedom to be creative. I believe Pro Optima’s unorthodox approach is key in providing the much-needed value adding services to its clients.”

Rainer and Barrie met first at the ECIIA 2019 conference in Luxemburg. Rainer was speaking about “WRAPS - How to make better decisions.” The duo soon realized their views on internal auditing were very similar and identified the need for practical guidelines to effective internal auditing, which they started with in January 2024. While writing this book it became even clearer how similar their thinking is. Although they did not agree beforehand about any of the specific content, their contributions dovetail superbly.