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Protiviti Honors Industry Pioneers at the Annual Audit Innovator Awards

In a remarkable gathering, Protiviti, a global consultancy, revealed the recipients of its second Annual Audit Innovator Award on March 10, 2026. This initiative is designed to celebrate trailblazers in the internal audit sphere, acknowledging those who actively contribute to the evolution of the profession through innovative strategies, advanced technology, and a strong emphasis on people.

The award presentation occurred at the Institute of Internal Auditors' Great Audit Minds (GAM) conference, with Andrew Struthers-Kennedy, Protiviti's Global CAE Solutions Leader, taking the stage to commend the awardees. Struthers-Kennedy underscored the importance of transforming internal audit to be more strategically aligned and tech-enabled, stating, "We are proud to recognize these audit leaders who are driving change and actively shaping the future of the profession. Their teams demonstrate how innovation, when grounded in purpose and execution, can transform internal audit into a more strategically aligned, tech-enabled, forward-looking and future-ready function."

2026 Audit Innovator Award Winners

The winners for this year’s awards have made significant strides in various categories.

• - Morgan Stanley - Audit Strategy Transformation: This winner was acknowledged for its Assurance Hub—a pioneering in-house platform that consolidates risk assessment, planning, execution, and reporting, utilizing intelligent automation and analytics, including emerging technologies like GenAI. The Assurance Hub promises improved efficiency, transparency, and strengthened impact in the audit function.
• - BNY - Enabling Technology: BNY's Internal Audit Department won recognition for the Agentic AI Initiative, which revolutionizes auditing with a governed, AI-driven environment. More than 1,000 AI agents have been deployed, significantly expanding audit reach and enabling quick, data-driven insights through intelligent automation.
• - Inter-American Development Bank - People & Culture: Acknowledged for its AUG Exploration Team, IDB is promoting a workplace culture of innovation and curiosity, turning their auditors into "digital explorers" through ongoing education, experimentation, and collaborative efforts.
• - Microsoft - Audit Trailblazer: Microsoft's internal audit function is recognized for its multi-year innovation, which integrates GenAI and automation into the audit lifecycle, achieving substantial savings in time while fostering an innovative spirit within the organization.
• - Depository Trust Clearing Corporation (DTCC) - Audit Trailblazer: Following their 2024 win, DTCC continued to embrace internal improvement by incorporating scalable analytics into their auditing processes, advancing towards real-time visibility in leadership through innovative techniques such as gamification and digital literacy programs.

Anthony Pugliese, President and CEO of The Institute of Internal Auditors, remarked, "Innovation has moved from aspiration to imperative for internal audit. As AI reshapes the risk landscape, practitioners need to blend technological acumen with human insight. The leaders being honored today are not just adapting; they are championing change."

The Audit Innovator Award represents a commitment to advance the capabilities and professionalism of the internal audit sector. To explore more about this year's winners, visit the Protiviti Audit Innovator Award page.

About Protiviti

Founded in 2011, Protiviti is committed to helping organizations protect and transform their businesses through extensive consulting services spanning technology, finance, compliance, and beyond. With a presence in over 25 countries, Protiviti collaborates with nearly 80% of Fortune 500 companies, showcasing its strong reputation in the industry.

With awards and recognition consistently placing them on prestigious lists such as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® since 2015, Protiviti is dedicated to fostering innovation and addressing the needs of their diverse client base, which also includes public organizations and emerging enterprises.

To keep up with the latest updates and initiatives from Protiviti, consider joining their audit innovation community, inviting professionals interested in shaping the future of internal audit through transformative practices.