ERFA groups

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.

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.unternaehrer@vontobel.com

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.

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.

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.

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, Trade, Transportation and Media group promotes cooperation, networking, and exchange on sector key topics and emerging themes of interest among internal audit professionals operating in Switzerland.