July 14, 2025

Audit & Risk: Season 20 Preview

Audit & Risk: Season 20 Preview

Send us a text Bonus episode #93: Leadership isn't about mastering spreadsheets—it's about transforming information into strategic action. In this preview of Season 20 of the Finance Leader Podcast, Stephen McLean unveils an exciting five-episode journey exploring audit, risk, and independence through the lens of leadership development. Drawing from his compelling experiences as an internal review officer in Iraq, McLean shares how he helped military commanders stretch their budgets through ...

Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Spotify podcast player icon iHeartRadio podcast player icon Pandora podcast player icon Youtube Music podcast player icon Amazon Music podcast player icon PlayerFM podcast player icon RSS Feed podcast player icon Deezer podcast player icon Goodpods podcast player icon Podchaser podcast player icon
Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Spotify podcast player icon iHeartRadio podcast player icon Pandora podcast player icon Youtube Music podcast player icon Amazon Music podcast player icon PlayerFM podcast player icon RSS Feed podcast player icon Deezer podcast player icon Goodpods podcast player icon Podchaser podcast player icon

Send us a text

Bonus episode #93: Leadership isn't about mastering spreadsheets—it's about transforming information into strategic action. In this preview of Season 20 of the Finance Leader Podcast, Stephen McLean unveils an exciting five-episode journey exploring audit, risk, and independence through the lens of leadership development.

Drawing from his compelling experiences as an internal review officer in Iraq, McLean shares how he helped military commanders stretch their budgets through enhanced accountability—often facing resistance until those same leaders witnessed how proper controls actually empowered their mission. This military-to-business parallel offers a refreshing perspective on audit functions that extends far beyond fraud prevention to ensuring financial accuracy and stakeholder confidence.

The upcoming season promises a comprehensive exploration of audit leadership, beginning with CFO oversight and audit team dynamics, then progressing through risk assessment, audit strategy development, and concluding with an intriguing look at forensic accounting careers. Whether you're looking to advance in finance, enhance your leadership toolkit, or discover how audit expertise can propel your career forward, this season delivers practical insights for professionals at every level. Subscribe now to join the journey toward becoming a strategic finance leader who thrives amid complexity and brings clarity when chaos seems the norm.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com.

Support the show

Chapters

00:00 - Season 20 Introduction

00:56 - Leadership Makes the Difference

01:22 - Personal Audit Experience in Iraq

02:02 - Upcoming Episode Roadmap

02:55 - The Value of Audit Work

Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:00.179 --> 00:00:18.960
Hi. This is Stephen McLain of the finance leader podcast. This is bonus episode number 93 now, good day, and welcome to another bonus episode of the podcast while I am creating other content and episodes for you. This will be a quick introduction for my next season about audit and risk.

00:00:19.320 --> 00:02:02.219
This will be season number 20 of the podcast. My goal for this podcast continues to highlight leadership development as it relates to your advancement as a finance and accounting professional. I believe that leadership is the key to advancement. We'll always find Excel experts who can develop a beautiful spreadsheet, but leaders now that is Strategic Finance. Leaders know how to use information to make the company better, to lead in a crisis, to prioritize and set their team in the right direction, and to bring clarity and purpose when chaos seems the norm, leaders are the ones who can forge ahead. I want to develop leaders who make a difference. This very short episode is about what is coming up over the next five weeks, I'll be diving into audit, risk and independence. I served as an internal review officer for the Army while I was in Iraq. My role mostly centered around internal controls in order to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse. I'm excited to share my own experiences trying to help senior leaders, in this case, senior commanders with the rank of colonel and general, in helping them stretch their budgets with more accountability. Now, most of the time, they hated me because they thought what I was asking them to do was a waste of time because it got in the way of their wartime mission. So yes, I wasn't everyone's favorite who likes the person who asks them to do more accountability until that accountability brings about positive change that helps accomplish the mission and the strategy. So here is the episode plan over the next five weeks.

00:02:02.579 --> 00:03:23.120
Now, Episode 140 will be about how the CFO oversees the audit function. Episode 141 will focus on the role of the audit team and its leaders. Episode 142 will be about assessing risk in your company, audit risk and risk when it comes to developing your strategy. Now in Episode 143 I will share an audit strategy and tips for a better audit plan. And for episode 144 I wanted to highlight the role of forensic accounting, which is a unique set of skills and ability to find financial facts, and how this might be a great career for some of you. I can't wait to share. Audit is a great place to work, and especially if you want to dive into details and processes to better protect company assets and to ensure financial accuracy. Audit isn't always about stopping theft, because it also includes ensuring the company is addressing any material change in the accounts that could alter perception of performance. This is important due to regulatory requirements and also critical to investors, creditors and other stakeholders. Have a great week. Always work on improving your leadership skills, take care and thank you.