President's Message
(More like Ramblings from the President)
Well, here we are halfway through August with Fall just around the corner. Yes, technically fall does not come until September 21, but in my book once school starts, Labor Day goes by, and we have the Auditing Roundtable “Fall” Annual Meeting – it’s Fall. The conference is just 3 weeks away – if you haven’t signed up, it’s time to do so.
What a week gone by with the roller coaster stock market. I have heard a number of people at work and several friends who recently retired discussing whether the stock market was a good investment or is it time to hide it in your mattress.
That made me think about how the Auditing Roundtable is a good investment. No, I’m not saying to send us your money (on the other hand we do accept sponsorships and donations), but invest your time, knowledge and skills.
We are a volunteer organization and can always use more volunteers. Investing with the Roundtable leads to increased networking, information exchange, a feeling of accomplishment, and lower blood pressure (well, at least compared to watching the Stock Market).
Speaking of finances, the Roundtable is doing well. Our two national conferences, though not as large as some past years, are still profitable and the training program is doing very well. Membership has increased even with the economy still being very tight. This has resulted in the Roundtable having a strong bank account that would hold us in good stead if another economic downturn was experienced in the country/world (not trying to be negative folks).
In looking ahead, planning is underway for the national conference in January (ideas/suggestions are welcome). It will be held in Phoenix and Kathy has promised that temperatures will be below 105 when we are there.
Some posts and discussions I’ve seen while bouncing around on the internet got me thinking about our profession. Okay, so that can be interpreted to harkening back to the days when we were figuring out “Who am I?”, “What is my purpose” (careful on the age comments).
I’ve heard auditors/audit teams on occasion ask if they made a difference, did the findings result in improving the facility/organization being audited.
Think about it. We are a profession that can’t help, but have an influence on improving health, safety and the environment. Whether working for a company or as a consultant auditing a company, just by the fact that we are pointing out ways the company can be safer, more environmentally sound, keeping their facilities secure, we are positively affecting the future.
We are a unique group of people in a unique profession. Members of the Auditing Roundtable (you) are very positive and optimistic people. We care deeply about our work as demonstrated by our willingness and desire to share information, tips, tricks, methods, etc. with others so we can all learn how to do better audits.
Isn’t it interesting how we by spending our time looking for a “negative” (e.g., not in compliance with a regulation, a gap in a management system, etc.) are having a positive influence on the organization we are auditing.
Does that explain why as auditors we’re always so positive, friendly, and wanting to network at our conferences? Maybe.
Enough rambling – thanks for listening. Got to go as my three bosses are pacing (i.e., time to feed the dogs).
Andrew
