Ep 292: AI and Analytics for Audit Leaders w/ Tim Buckley

This week on The Audit Podcast, Tim Buckley, founder of Beyond the Lines, joins the show to interview Trent Russell, founder of Green Skies Analytics, about how AI and analytics can fundamentally change the way internal audit teams operate.

Trent explains why audit leaders need to move beyond isolated AI use cases and think about how technology can reshape the entire audit operating model. He breaks down why teams need an AI and analytics methodology, how AI can improve planning and reporting, and why analytics should be focused on finding meaningful insights rather than simply increasing efficiency.

Trent also shares real-world examples of teams using AI agents and orchestration to automate large portions of audit planning, explains how AI can help identify risks auditors may otherwise miss, and discusses the growing importance of human judgment and critical thinking as more audit work becomes automated. He also offers practical advice for audit leaders looking to overcome management resistance and start making meaningful changes today.

05:03 Why AI and Analytics Matter for Audit Leaders

06:18 Why You Need to Rethink the Audit Operating Model

08:21 Isolated AI Use Cases vs. Real Transformation

11:17 Where AI and Analytics Are Overhyped and Underused

16:27 How AI Can Change Audit Planning

19:30 Using AI and Analytics to Improve Audit Quality

23:13 How AI Can Transform Audit Reporting

26:01 Why Auditors Need to Protect Judgment and Critical Thinking

34:47 Governance and the Human-in-the-Loop