Progressing Your Internal Audit Career: The Power of Data and Strategic Growth
“Data, for me, is the foundation of F1. There’s no human judgment involved. You’ve got to get your foundation right in data.” – James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing
In the world of internal audit, much like Formula 1, data is key. Whether you're just starting as an auditor or looking to move into executive leadership, how you use data to highlight your impact, align with team goals, and track progress can define your career trajectory.
Using Data to Highlight Your Performance
In racing, data isn’t just collected—it’s analyzed and used to make real-time decisions. The same applies to internal audit. To stand out, track your key contributions. This could include:
Turnaround Time – How efficiently do you complete audits? Are you reducing delays?
Quality of Findings – Are your reports leading to meaningful business improvements?
Stakeholder Feedback – Are process owners and executives seeing value in your work?
Innovation & Efficiency – Are you suggesting new ways to streamline audits or introducing tools that improve accuracy?
Collecting and presenting this data objectively can help leadership see your value, making your progression easier to justify.
Prioritizing Team Goals: Start with Your Strengths
Every audit team has different needs. To position yourself for growth, begin with areas where your skills already shine. If you’re strong in data analytics, help the team enhance its use of audit technology. If you’re great at stakeholder management, focus on improving how audit findings are communicated and implemented.
Once you've built credibility in areas where you naturally excel, shift your focus to broader team needs. If gaps exist where your strengths align, take the lead in addressing them. This builds your reputation as a team player and problem-solver—qualities leadership looks for when considering promotions.
Addressing Team Gaps: Where Can You Make an Impact?
A high-performing team isn’t just about individual strengths; it’s about balance. If your team struggles with certain areas—such as risk-based auditing, fraud detection, or regulatory compliance—consider how you can contribute. If these align with your expertise, take initiative. If not, use them as learning opportunities to expand your skills.
Either way, document your contributions. Just as in F1, where race engineers track every performance metric, you should track how your efforts lead to improved audit effectiveness, process enhancements, or even cost savings. This information will be valuable whether you’re seeking internal promotions or external career moves.
Long-Term Progression: Execution First, Strategy Second
Career growth isn’t just about visibility—it starts with doing the work well. Ensure your audits are completed efficiently and effectively before taking on strategic initiatives. As you advance, balance execution with leadership development by focusing on:
Mentoring junior auditors to build team strength.
Leading special projects to showcase strategic thinking.
Driving innovation in audit methodologies or reporting.
These steps not only set you apart internally but also prepare you for future leadership roles.
Final Thoughts: Data-Driven Career Growth
Your internal audit career is a long race, not a sprint. By using data to showcase your contributions, aligning with team priorities, and strategically filling gaps, you position yourself for continuous growth. Whether you’re an entry-level auditor or a director eyeing the C-suite, tracking and leveraging your impact is the key to moving forward.
After all, in both Formula 1 and internal audit, the best decisions are backed by data.
