Future skills for tomorrow’s internal audit teams

Picture your audit team, standing at the edge of a vast, uncharted landscape. The old maps are now outdated. The tool you rely on has suddenly changed overnight. This reflects the feelings of many audit teams today as they undertake audits of technology that is unfamiliar or has not been audited before. As you gear up for what’s next, it’s clear that technical know-how alone won’t cut it. You’ll need to be adaptable, think strategically, and perhaps most importantly, know how to tell your story in a way that actually gets people to listen. That’s the reality for internal audit teams as they finish out the year and head into 2026. This is why building new skills isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must.

The audit landscape is shifting under our feet

Let’s be real, the world is changing at a breakneck speed, and internal audit is along for the ride. One minute you’re dealing with digital disruption, the next it’s a new set of regulations or a business model that looks nothing like last year’s. Sometimes it feels like the ground is moving beneath your feet.

According to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Vision 2035 and consensus among the leading accounting and consulting firms, internal audit can now do a whole lot more than just our traditional assurance work. We’re talking about delivering strategic insights, spotting risks before they become headlines, and helping to steer big decisions.

The skillset gap: what tomorrow’s auditors need

If you have been in the field for a while, you probably remember when technical chops like risk assessments, compliance, and control testing were the gold standard. But here’s the thing: as we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, it’s not just about crunching numbers or tick marking anymore.

Both Protiviti and EY all point to the same truth: that future-ready teams need to bridge the skillset gap. That means getting comfortable with change, learning how to tell a compelling story, and thinking a few steps ahead. How many of us have experienced a sudden regulatory shift that forced our team to quickly pivot? It’s not necessarily your technical skills that save the day, but your ability to adapt and communicate clearly under pressure. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most valuable skills aren’t the ones you find in a textbook.

These so-called “soft skills” aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the secret sauce for influencing stakeholders and making a real impact.

Embracing the power of multi-generational teams

Here’s something you don’t see in the textbooks: audit teams are more diverse than ever. We’ve got team members who are fresh out of college working alongside veterans who remember when audits were done on yellow paper. And while that mix can spark some lively debate, it’s also a huge advantage, despite what many of us really think. According to AuditBoard, “by embracing generational differences, we set our teams up as a connected community based on a culture of understanding.”

Some of our best ideas have come from those spontaneous hallway conversations or heated discussions that start with, “Back in my day…” But building a strong, high-performing team across generations isn’t about forcing everyone to think the same way. It’s about empathy, open communication, and a willingness to learn from each other. And this is where the magic happens.

Adaptability is the new compass for internal audit

Adaptability isn’t just a buzzword. Even if you want to call it agile, flexible, or dynamic, it’s all about keeping the audit team moving in the right direction when everything else is up in the air. It’s your compass. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t need a good compass these days? Have you ever found yourself halfway through an audit, only to have the audit objective change overnight? If so, you know exactly what I mean.

The best audit teams aren’t just good at following procedures; they understand the grey and can improvise, learning on the fly and staying calm when things get messy. That’s not something you can fake, and it’s definitely not something you can easily automate.

Storytelling turns audit data into influence

For internal auditors, being able to tell a gripping story is crucial in the age of data-driven decision-making. Storytelling emphasizes how auditors can impact decision-making and promote change by turning complex findings into concise, actionable narratives. Teams that excel at storytelling are often more successful at engaging stakeholders, clarifying risk and opportunities, and driving meaningful action within the organization.

CAEs can boost their teams by focusing on improving communication skills and promoting the use of data visualization to enhance storytelling. A simple way to do this is to invite your marketing and communication teams to hold workshops with internal audit to share techniques and best practices to further integrate storytelling.

Strategic thinking elevates audit impact

Strategic and systems thinking are essential future skills for internal audit teams. As risks become more interrelated, auditors need to know how issues in one area can affect the organization as a whole. The Internal Audit Foundation’s 2025 North American Pulse of Internal Audit report heavily emphasizes the significance of matching audit activities with organizational strategy. By including auditors in the risk management process, strategic planning, and other cross-departmental initiatives, the CAE can foster these abilities and help them see the wider picture and spot emerging risks.

Technical skills remain essential, but context matters

While non-technical skills are rising in importance, technical expertise remains foundational. AuditBoard emphasizes that internal audit teams continue to need expertise in cybersecurity, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). However, the context in which these skills apply is changing. It is becoming increasingly important for auditors to combine technical expertise with business acumen to effectively convey the significance of their findings in a way that stakeholders can understand. Future-ready audit teams will be distinguished by this hybrid skillset.

Collaborating with AI as a member of your team

The rise of AI in audit means teams will soon find themselves working alongside intelligent systems more than other auditors. To thrive, auditors need to enhance and broaden their critical thinking and digital literacy skills, as well as learn how to evaluate and question insights produced by AI. According to Protiviti, it’s time for internal auditors to embrace a new paradigm. To maintain the importance of human judgement, CAEs should offer training on AI tools and establish explicit guidelines for accountability.

The audit team that successfully combines machine intelligence and human judgment will be the most successful in the future. Auditors who accept AI as a partner rather than a threat can improve their skills, provide deeper insights, and concentrate on strategic, value-adding facets of their work. It takes more than just technology to manage an AI employee; it also requires leadership, flexibility, and a desire to keep learning and developing.

Building future-ready audit teams: practical steps for CAEs

CAEs should approach skill development strategically in order to be ready for tomorrow. It’s essential to invest in ongoing learning by leveraging targeted training and certification resources from organizations like the IIA and ISACA. By doing so, your team will remain up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry standards if you provide them access to these professional development opportunities. Additionally, encouraging cross-functional collaboration by assigning auditors to projects outside their normal purview and cultivating relationships with individuals or departments they often don’t work with will only help to broaden their horizons and enhance their ability to address complex risks. Encouraging mentoring and creating forums for sharing best practices and lessons learned will only help to facilitate knowledge transfer and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

A skills development plan for 2025 and beyond

A skills development plan with an eye toward the future-ready auditor should include:

1. Assessing current capabilities: Use skills assessments to identify gaps in both technical and non-technical areas.
2. Setting clear goals: Define the future skills your team needs, referencing guidance from sources like the IIA, ISACA, and AuditBoard.
3. Investing in targeted training: Tailor learning plans to individual and team needs.
4. Creating practical experience opportunities: Assign team members to strategic projects and cross-functional initiatives.
5. Monitoring progress: Regularly review development goals and adjust as needed.

This ongoing approach ensures your audit team is always ready for what’s next.

Ready to chart new territory in internal audit

As we look toward the future, internal audit isn’t about keeping up with new tools or ticking off a list of competencies. You’ll need more than modern tools and technology for the journey ahead; you’ll also need to be flexible, have strategic insight, and be a talented storyteller. CAEs can make sure their internal audit teams are prepared to handle the changing environment and provide long-term value by investing in their future skills now. You’ll be in a strong position to forge new paths and prosper in the years to come if you begin mapping your team’s skill development journey.

About the authors

Scott Madenburg, CIA, CISA, CRMA, is the founder of ARCHybrid, where he serves as a market advisor, consultant, and trainer, guiding organizations and professionals in transforming their audit, risk, and compliance functions to enhance efficiency, strengthen controls, and address emerging threats. Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.