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ERFA & Groups

Our much valued and actively used Experience Sharing Groups (ERFA & Groups) meet regularly and make a significant contribution to the achievement of the association's objectives.

Networking through ERFA & groups

We launched our ERFA & groups to grow people’s networks and encourage mutual exchange. There are currently nine ERFA and two groups across Switzerland that are divided by industry, field and language. The ERFA & groups take the form of regular meetings and conferences, and are an opportunity to discuss and, in some cases, collaborate on specific projects. Participants can also ask questions and raise queries, which are discussed in the group and which the group works together to resolve.

Anchor: german-speaking

ERFA & groups in German-speaking Switzerland

Banking

Objectives
Regular exchange of information between heads of audit
Discussions with relevant stakeholders, especially the regulators responsible
Training platform with industry-specific and work-relevant conferences for employees of affiliated members
Collaboration with bank representatives on the IIAS Board on various advocacy activities
Network for building professional relationships and socialising with colleagues and like-minded people
Activities
Date Event Location Information
07.06.2024 Members' meeting UBS Konferenzgebäude Grünenhof Conference Agenda
Contact
Dr. Daniel Dal Santo
Head Internal Audit, Raiffeisen Schweiz
Adress: Raiffeisenplatz
Postcode: 9001
City: St. Gallen
Phone: +41 (0)71 225 91 90
Email: Dr. Daniel Dal Santo
Board of Directors
Daniel Dal Santo, Raiffeisen
Ralph Dicht, Julius Baer
Felix Hänle, Basler Kantonalbank
Chiara Penazzato, UBS
Jörg Steinger, ZKB

Data analytics and data science

Objectives

The Data Analytics and Data Science dialogue group is aimed at data analytics managers and data science managers who work in internal auditing at blue-chip companies based or headquartered in Switzerland in sectors such as finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and industry.

The aim of the group is to share knowledge in the field of data analytics and data science for internal auditors (best practice, presentation of findings, skills and talent management, modern tools and approaches, use cases).

The language of communication is English and we welcome colleagues from French-speaking Switzerland, Ticino and German-speaking Switzerland.

Activities
Date Event Location Information
22.08.2024 Data Analytics and Data Science in Audit Ernst and Young, Zurich Meeting Content
Contact
Michael Ivertowski

Head IT Audit Experience Group

Objectives

Discussions on current internal IT auditing topics

Participation is by invitation only. Interested parties who are responsible for an internal IT audit should contact Andreas Unternährer

Activities
Date Event Location Information
22.05.2024 Head IT Audit ZKB, Neue Hard 9, 8005 Zurich Meeting content
21.11.2024 Head IT Audit Information to follow
Contact
Andreas Unternährer

Industry

Objectives

Internal audit teams in the industry field are currently facing and resiliently adapting to an increasingly complex economic environment, evolving regulations, un-precented markets disruptions, including resource shortages and new technologies.
The Industry, Commerce, Transport and Media Group promotes collaboration, networking and exchange on key industry-specific topics and emerging issues of interest to internal auditors working in Switzerland.

Activities
Contact
Daniele Federici
Landis+Gyr Group
Adress: Alte Steinhauserstrasse 18
Postcode: 6300
City: Cham
Phone: +41 (0)41 935 62 18
Email: Daniele Federici

 

Leadership team
Sebastian Wodjereck – DocMorris AG
Vanessa Nigro Silingardi – Dufry International
Philipp Lanz - Kuehne + Nagel Management AG

Insurance

Objectives

The Insurance dialogue group is made up of specialists and managers in internal auditing within the Swiss insurance industry. In particular, the dialogue group promotes the exchange of experiences, the formation of opinions on current issues of relevance to audit, and the transfer of industry-specific auditing knowledge among its members. In addition, the dialogue group supports the Institute of Internal Auditing Switzerland (IIAS) with contributions on current auditing topics. Discussions take place on a personal level among its members, as well as at two annual specialist conferences and a conference for heads of audit.

Activities
Contact
Stephan Riedle
Zürich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG
Adress: Mythenquai 2
Postcode: 8002
City: Zürich
Phone: +41 (0)44 628 28 28
Email: Stephan Riedle

 

Publicly contracted internal auditing

Objectives

The objectives of the dialogue group are sharing knowledge and further education. We meet annually for a conference on a current topic. The dialogue group is professionally supported and advised by a sounding board whose members are established technical experts in auditing. As a dialogue group, we can also position ourselves on current topics.
The dialogue group facilitates practical exchange between internal auditors and publicly-contracted auditors. This includes auditors from the federal administration, the cantons, cities and from publicly-contracted companies such as higher education institutions, hospitals and foundations.
The head of the dialogue group exchanges information and coordinates with the working group Professional Association of Financial Controls of German-speaking Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Auditors from publicly-contracted institutions can participate in seminars held by the professional association. The announcement of and registration for these seminars is done via the professional association.

Activities
Date Event Location Information
23.05.2024 6th conference Solothurn, Altes Spital Conference contents
Contact
Regula Durrer
Regula Durrer, head of the dialogue group ‘Publicly contracted internal auditing’, Swiss Federal Audit Office

Adress:

Monbijoustrasse 45

Postcode:

3003

City:

Bern

Phone:

+41 (0)58 463 10 52

Email: Regula Durrer

 

Contact person for the annual conference
Alessandro Manferdini, Eidgenössische Finanzkontrolle
Phone: +41 (0) 58 461 44 96
Mob.: +41(0) 79 480 03 62
Email adress: alessandro.manferdini@efk.admin.ch

Transformation and digitalisation

Objectives

Like many other areas, the world of auditing is changing. Technological innovations are changing the way we work in addition to the requirements for internal auditing, not just in terms of assistive technology, but also with regard to work processes, auditing procedures and employees’s skills.

The Transformation and Digitalisation dialogue group seeks to promote the broad, cross-sectoral exchange of experiences on these topics. Its target group is managers in the audit field and, where available, those responsible for transformation and digitalisation in internal auditing. It does not just focus on purely technical aspects: it also encourages holistic discussions that look at the effect of this transformation on people, technology and processes in its entirety.

Activities
Date Event Location Information
16.05.2024 Conference Zurich, Swiss National Bank Information to follow
31.10.2024 Conference Weinfelden, Thurgau Cantonal Bank Information to follow
Contact
Andreas Caflisch
Züricher Kantonalbank
Adress: Neue Hard 9
Postcode: 8005
Location: Zürich
Phone: +41 (0) 44 292 93 91
Email: Andreas Caflisch

 

Young Audit

Objectives
Networking and maintaining contacts with young auditors
Share experiences and adventures as young professionals
Professional exchange on current topics and issues to promote innovation and new perspectives in internal audit
To derive recommendations for action for the IIAS and practitioners to better understand and address the needs of young professionals in internal audit.
Activities
Date Event Location Information
26.09.2024 Workshop Bern Information to follow
Contact
Claudia Rutz
PostFinance AG
Adress: Mingerstrasse 20
Postcode: 3006
City: Bern
Phone: +41 (0)76 683 70 42
Email: Claudia Rutz
Board of Directors
Zoran Dobrosavljevic / PostFinance AG / Mingerstrasse 20 / 3006 Bern / +41 76 824 94 68 / zoran.dobrosavljevic@postfinance.ch
Sebastian Moosmann / BDO AG / Schiffbaustrasse 2 / 8031 Zürich / +41 44 444 35 28 / sebastian.moosmann@bdo.ch

CIA group

Objectives
Exchange on practical audit work (focus on IIA standards & audit practice) Motto: For and by certified internal auditors
Systematic exchange of experience on current topics in internal auditing, such as audit planning, risk assessment, reporting, fraud investigation or Agile Auditing
The International Professional Practice Framework (IIA Standards, Practice Advisories) forms a focal point, both as a theoretical basis and for exchanging information on practical implementation
Cultivate and expand your own network and strengthen your identity as a CIA / professional
Activities
Contact
Anuschka Küng
Acons Governance & Audit AG
Adress: Max-Högger-Strasse 6
Postcode: 8048
City: Zürich
Phone: +41 (0)44 224 30 00
Email: Anuschka Küng
Board of Directors
René Balz, Zürcher Kantonalbank / rene.balz@zkb.ch
Evelyn Schmidt, Schmidt Internal Audit / office@siaudit.de
Eric Herrenknecht, Julius Bär / eric.herrenknecht@juliusbaer.com
Mike Tucesku, Datwyler Group / mike.tucesku@datwyler.com; mike.tucesku@gmail.com
Martin Villiger, Acons Governance & Audit AG / martin.villiger@acons.ch
Nathalie Wagner / Helsana Versicherungen AG / nathalie.wagner@helsana.ch

"The CAE Club" group

Objectives

Switzerland is home to many international companies with local, regional and global internal audit teams. It is therefore an ideal location for a Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Club, which in turn is a valuable addition to the existing ERFA groups. 

With this in mind, and following the example of other countries such as Belgium, the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Club "The CAE Club" has been established within the local IIA, benefiting both the CAE and the IIA.
In contrast to the ERFA groups, which are open to all auditors and tend to be industry-specific and rather open, "The CAE Club" will be cross-industry and focus on current issues and challenges facing CAEs. Personal involvement and confidentiality are two cornerstones of the Club.

"The CAE Club" will meet four times a year and will be an exclusive platform for Chief Audit Executives in Switzerland to exchange ideas on a regular basis. The number of meetings is intended to promote regular and intensive exchange between CAEs in a familiar environment. No substitution is possible. In addition, participation in at least 2 meetings per year is mandatory in order to remain in "The CAE Club"

If you are interested in joining the CAE Club, please contact the club leadership.

 

Dates 2024: 

24 January, 16 May, 12 September, 14 November

 

Club leadership: 

Mrs Gabriela Federer Wenger, Mitreva AG, Zürich, gabriela.federer@mitreva.ch  
Herr Holger Kremmling, Clariant International AG, Muttenz, holger.kremmling@clariant.com  

Anchor: french-speaking

ERFA & groups in French-speaking Switzerland & Ticino

Banking (French-speaking Switzerland)

Objectives
Main objective is to participate at the regional level at the implementation of the objectives of the IIAS. Within this context IIA Bancaire Romand organises conferences and working meetings, in principle twice a year, for the heads of internal audit (members of their teams are also invited to participate at least once a year).
Activities
Date Event Location Information
16.05.2024 82ème conférence Lausanne, Hôtel de la Paix Conference Content
31.10.2024 83ème conférence Lausanne, Hôtel de la Paix Information to follow
Contact
Panayotis Pournaras
Union Bancaire Privée
Adress: Rue du Rhône 96-98
Postcode: 1211
City: Genf
Phone: +41 (0)58 819 32 29
Email: Panayotis Pournaras
Board of Directors
Natasha Camo, Banque Lombard Odier & Cie SA, T: +41 22 709 19 72, Mail: n.camo@lombardodier.com
Pascal John, Banque Pictet & Cie SA, T: +41 58 323 24 43, Mail: pjohn@pictet.com
Philippe Levy, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, T: +41 (0)21 212 17 23, Mail: philippe.levy@bcv.ch
Jean-Louis Oehen, Mail: jlo.aoc@icloud.com
Monique Seiss Baudry, Banque Cantonale de Genève, T: +41 (0)22 809 20 30, Mail: monique.seiss.baudry@bcge.ch
Philippe Vaudaux, HSBC Private Banking Holdings (Suisse) SA, T: +41 (0)58 705 5222, Mail: philippe.vaudaux@hsbcpb.com
Stefania Caracciolo, Mirabaud & Cie SA, T: +41 58 816 27 38, Mail: stefania.caracciolo@mirabaud.com
Daniel Widmer, Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft, T: +41 21 612 51 62, Mail: daniel.widmer3@raiffeisen.chktion

Collectives Publiques Latines

Objectives

The primary aim is to allow auditors working in the public sector to share their experiences. With this in mind, the Groupe des Collectivités Publiques Latines has set the following objectives:

Organising an annual conference on current issues in the field;
Sharing useful contacts and information on the Group's website and/or LinkedIn group;
Publishing useful information for internal auditors working in the public sector.
Activities
Date Event Location Information
04.10.2024 Conference Information to follow
Contact
Grégoire Demaurex
Swiss Federal Audit Office
Adress: Monbijoustrasse 35
Postcode: 3003
City: Bern
Phone: +41 (0)58 463 10 88
Email: Grégoire Demaurex

 

Board of Directors
Audrey Bütikofer Barbillon, Head of Internal Audit, City of Fribourg
Yann Cyril Wyss, Internal Auditor, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Maxime Chrétien, Head of Financial Control, City of Geneva
Nicolin Thierry, Inspection des finances du canton du Valais
Mirko Lanzi, Head of Internal Audit, Ticino Hospital Authority
Laurent Dussoliet-Berthod, Audit Director at the Court of Auditors, Canton of Geneva

Group Ticino

Objectives
Finalità del Gruppo attivo in Ticino è quello di organizzare momenti formativi e di creare occasioni di contatto tra persone che si occupano di tematiche d'interesse per la Revisione interna..
Activities
Contact
Gabriele Guglielmini
Membro del Comitato di IIA Switzerland
Company: Banco dello Stato del Cantone Ticino
Phone: +41 (0)91 803 75 32
Email: Gabriele Guglielmini
Leadership Team
Mirko Lanzi, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Responsabile Revisione interna, +41 91 811 13 62, mirko.lanzi@eoc.ch

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