Association of Local Government Auditors

As the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Austin Chapter's Academic Relations Committee Chair, I thought it would be helpful to share with all of you what our committee does to help shape the future of the internal audit profession.  We do this by focusing our attention on the following areas: Strategic Partnerships, Student Scholarships, Career Fairs, and Speaking Engagements.   

Strategic Partnerships

The Committee partners with the local chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) to co-host student events and round table discussions at local colleges and universities. Together the two organizations leverage their resources to cover more topics and reach more students than ever before.  Examples of topics include:

• The Changing Role Of Internal Auditing
• What is it like to be an Internal Auditor?
• What is the IIA/ISACA?
• Benefits of Being a Member of the IIA/ISACA
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Internships and short/long-term employment opportunities

Student Scholarships

The Committee awards the Chapter's annual scholarship to a qualified student who intends to pursue a career in internal auditing or closely related field.

A scholarship notice and applications are sent to colleges and universities in Austin and the surrounding area.  On average, there are 20-25 students that qualify and apply for the award every year.  The Chapter's scholarship has been awarded to students from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas (UT) in Austin, the UT McCombs School of Business, and St. Edward's University.

From time to time, the IIA Austin Chapter scholarship is sponsored by local business.  In 2009 and 2011, Deloitte & Touche LLP donated $1,000 to cover the cost of our scholarship program.  Their generous contribution to the Chapter allowed the Academic Relations Committee to free up Chapter resources for other activities such as student socials and round table discussions. 

Career Fairs

The Committee also attends career fairs where it reaches out to students and encourages them to join the internal audit profession and the IIA at a discounted student membership rate.  Student resume books are collected and distributed to members of the Chapter who may have an interest in students or have opportunities available for them such as internships and temporary/full-time employment. 

During the career fairs, we explain to students that today's internal audit employers are seeking candidates who have studied or majored in a wide variety of subjects such as engineering, economics, marketing, computer science, management information systems, finance or business, public administration and internal auditing.

We also let the students know that the average starting salary at many organizations has increased to attract more individuals to the profession. We share with the students the results of the IIA's job market survey published in the Internal Auditor to give them an idea of what they can expect to earn if they choose internal audit as a profession. We explain to them the market demand for internal auditors far exceeds the professional supply and that the demand for internal auditors is expected to increase as organizations continue to expand their audit needs in response to corporate reforms.

Speaking Engagements

The Committee also coordinates with professors and student organizations at local colleges and universities for speaking engagements.  Chapter members volunteer to speak with students about the internal audit profession, internships, and the Chapter's scholarship program.  Volunteers meet with approximately 150 students each year at colleges and universities in the Austin and surrounding area.