Wolters Kluwer to Present on Integrated Assurance at IIA 2025 GAM Conference
Wolters Kluwer, a globally recognized leader in professional information, software solutions, and services, has announced that Jim Pelletier, CIA, CGAP, Lead Product Manager for Wolters Kluwer TeamMate, will be leading an expert panel at the highly anticipated 2025 Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Great Audit Minds (GAM) conference. The event is scheduled for March 11, 2025, and is expected to bring together industry leaders, audit professionals, and thought leaders from across the globe to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in internal auditing.
Pelletier will spearhead a panel discussion titled “The Journey to Integrated Assurance: Going Beyond Connected Risks.” This session will explore the evolving landscape of internal audit, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional, isolated audit approaches. The panel will discuss the critical shift towards integrated assurance—a holistic approach that synchronizes risk management and assurance activities across various departments and stakeholders within an organization. This approach enables organizations to identify and mitigate risks more effectively, enhance operational efficiency, and improve overall governance.
The concept of integrated assurance is becoming increasingly vital in today’s complex business environment. Many organizations face challenges in managing overlapping assurance activities, leading to inefficiencies and gaps in risk oversight. Integrated assurance promotes coordination Conference among internal audit, risk management, compliance, and other assurance functions to create a more streamlined, transparent, and effective framework for risk management.
Frans Klaassen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wolters Kluwer TeamMate, underscored the importance of this shift. “A recent Wolters Kluwer TeamMate report revealed that 40% of organizations struggle with duplicative assurance efforts, which highlights the urgent need for an integrated approach,” said Klaassen. “We are delighted to have Jim Pelletier share his deep expertise at the upcoming IIA GAM event. His insights will be invaluable in helping organizations refine their risk management strategies, ensuring clarity in how risks are identified, assessed, and reported. Informed decision-making hinges on a well-structured assurance framework, and integrated assurance is a crucial step in achieving this.”
The panel discussion at the IIA GAM conference aligns with the recent findings from Wolters Kluwer TeamMate’s newly published research report, “Paving the Way to Integrated Assurance: A Proactive Approach.” This report delves into the essential role that integrated assurance plays in fostering resilience and operational success in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. By proactively adopting integrated assurance strategies, organizations can eliminate redundancies, enhance collaboration among different assurance providers, and improve stakeholder confidence in their risk management processes.
Wolters Kluwer TeamMate is an integral part of the Wolters Kluwer Corporate Performance & ESG (CP & ESG) division, a global leader in providing advanced software solutions for Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Corporate Performance Management, and Audit and Assurance. Through its cutting-edge technology and deep industry expertise, Wolters Kluwer CP & ESG empowers business leaders to make well-informed, strategic decisions that Conference drive business transformation, optimize performance, and enhance risk management. By leveraging its suite of integrated solutions, organizations can build a sustainable and resilient operational framework that aligns with modern regulatory and compliance expectations.
The Growing Importance of Integrated Assurance in Internal Auditing
The traditional approach to internal auditing often operates within silos, where different departments conduct separate risk assessments and assurance activities without sufficient coordination. This fragmented approach can result in duplicated efforts, inconsistencies in risk reporting, and missed opportunities to identify emerging risks early. As organizations grow in complexity and face increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, the need for a more collaborative and integrated risk management approach has become paramount.
Integrated assurance provides a structured framework that enables organizations to coordinate assurance activities across various functions, such as internal audit, risk management, compliance, finance, and IT security. By aligning these functions, organizations can ensure a comprehensive risk coverage, minimize resource inefficiencies, and provide senior management and board members with a unified view of risk exposure.
Jim Pelletier’s panel at the IIA GAM conference will address key topics, including:
- The Evolution of Internal Audit: How internal audit has transformed from a compliance-focused function to a strategic business partner providing value-added insights.
- Key Challenges in Achieving Integrated Assurance: Common roadblocks organizations face, such as data silos, lack of standardized methodologies, and resistance to change.
- Benefits of Integrated Assurance: How a coordinated approach enhances risk visibility, reduces audit fatigue, and strengthens corporate governance.
- Best Practices for Implementation: Practical steps organizations can take to integrate assurance activities effectively and drive meaningful improvements in risk management.
The Role of Technology in Facilitating Integrated Assurance
Technological advancements have played a pivotal role in enabling organizations to implement integrated assurance frameworks successfully. With the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, organizations now have access to tools that can streamline risk assessments, enhance data accuracy, and provide real-time insights into risk exposures.
Wolters Kluwer TeamMate offers a suite of digital solutions designed to support organizations in their integrated assurance journey. These solutions provide audit professionals with:
- Advanced Data Analytics: Enabling data-driven risk assessments and predictive insights.
- Automated Risk Management Workflows: Enhancing efficiency by reducing manual processes.
- Centralized Risk and Compliance Platforms: Facilitating seamless collaboration across assurance functions.
- Real-Time Risk Reporting Dashboards: Providing senior management with a clear and actionable view of organizational risks.
By leveraging such technologies, organizations can foster a more proactive risk management culture and ensure that assurance activities are aligned with strategic business objectives.
The IIA GAM Conference: A Premier Event for Audit Professionals
The IIA GAM conference is one of the most prestigious gatherings for internal audit professionals, drawing attendees from a wide range of industries and global markets. The event serves as a platform for industry leaders to exchange insights, explore innovative audit practices, and discuss emerging trends shaping the future of internal auditing.
As organizations continue to navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape, the insights shared at the IIA GAM conference will be instrumental in helping audit professionals refine their methodologies and stay ahead of evolving regulatory expectations. Jim Pelletier’s panel Conference discussion on integrated assurance is expected to be one of the key highlights of the event, providing attendees with actionable strategies to enhance their risk management frameworks.
Wolters Kluwer’s leadership in integrated assurance underscores its commitment to helping organizations optimize their risk management strategies and drive operational excellence. With Jim Pelletier’s upcoming panel at the 2025 IIA GAM conference, audit professionals will gain valuable perspectives on the importance of moving beyond siloed risk management approaches and embracing a more coordinated, strategic approach to assurance.
By integrating assurance activities across multiple functions, organizations can not only improve efficiency and governance but also enhance their ability Conference to respond proactively to emerging risks. As businesses continue to evolve in a dynamic regulatory environment, the adoption of integrated assurance practices will be essential for fostering long-term sustainability and resilience.
