KPMG Podcast Series: Building Confidence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – what does this mean for audit and how can businesses leverage technology?

What does the future of audit look like? How are businesses using cutting-edge technology, automation and AI for audit and assurance engagements to manage risk and obtain assurance?

In this episode we are joined by our Chief Technology Officer, Matt Campbell, who answers these questions and shares his views as to how technology can achieve an audit that delivers quality, provide fresh insights, and can ultimately help to shape the future of your business.

People, planet and profit: Building trust and integrity in the boardroom

In this episode we are joined by Oonagh Harpur to explore culture – how it can be measured, what it means for boards and the implications for corporate reporting and assurance.

Oonagh is our Independent Non-Executive Director and has over 30 years’ experience in the boardroom including 14 years in CEO roles in the private, public and third sectors and she openly shares her views and experiences on why culture is important and its relation to reputation, strategy and ESG.

In conversation with Jon Thompson from the FRC

In this episode, Sir Jon Thompson, Chief Executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) shares his views on the progress made on the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) consultation on “Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance”. Launched in March 2021, this consultation was seen by many as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform the corporate regulatory landscape and received thousands of responses. Listen as Sir Jon discusses the latest developments since our first BEIS conversation last year and shares his insights on how the FRC is evolving, market competition, investor engagement and also the attractiveness of the UK as a place to do business and the attractiveness of audit profession in particular.

 

We also cover the recommendations on what companies should be focusing on in this reporting season, whether they should start making changes now or wait for further guidance.

Ukraine crisis: what global geopolitical volatility means for business

As the Russian-Ukraine war unfolds, companies have had to move quickly to ensure the safety of their workers while girding themselves for the economic impacts and operational disruption to come. In this episode we are joined by Derek Leatherdale, Managing Director at GRI Strategies Ltd, to help explore the key areas boards need to consider whether that be re-evaluating their businesses in the region or managing the new risks faced by a global economy already struggling with inflation and supply chain disruption.

Future of Audit Global podcast - Innovation in audit

This episode discusses innovation in audit and how technology, including AI and new ways of working, are shaping the future of the profession.

Hosted by Larry Bradley, we hear from Eli Fathi, Chair and former CEO at MindBridge, Sebastian Stöckle, Global Head of Audit Innovation at KPMG International and Kristy Carscallen, Head of Audit for KPMG in Canada.

How can corporates address climate risks and exposures? - Part 2

In part 2 of our episode on how corporates can address climate risks and exposures, we continue our discussion from part 1 with Simon Henry, a Non-Executive Director, and Simon Virley, our Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG in the UK. Our guests provide details on the climate reporting landscape and what good practice looks like in terms of reporting requirements. We also discuss the role investors can play to engage on this important topic and what questions Board members should be asking of management to address the climate risk agenda.

How can corporates address climate risks and exposures? - Part 1

In part 1 of our podcast episode on how corporates can address climate risks and exposures, we are joined by Simon Henry, a Non-Executive Director, and Simon Virley, our Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG in the UK. In this episode, our guests examine the progress made during COP26 and provide insight on some of the notable successes and setbacks. With 90% of the world now signed up to net zero, we discuss the challenges facing all organisations and what key actions business leaders should be taking to address this. In part 2, we delve into a deeper discussion around the reporting landscape, industry examples of what good practice looks like, the role investors can play to engage on this important topic and what questions Board members should be asking of management .

Corporate governance: Are UK practices as tight and transparent as they should be?

Our KPMG host Michelle Hinchliffe is joined by David Styles, Director of Corporate Governance and Stewardship at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and Peter Swabey, Policy and Research Director at the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI). David and Peter share their insights into the latest updates on corporate governance reporting, best practices, and share helpful tips and advice on areas where improvement is needed.

We also cover the introduction of ARGA, the next corporate governance challenges coming over the horizon and the questions Board members should be asking of management.

Geraldine Lawlor and Jonathan Evans, KPMG - What should a Director be doing to reduce fraud risks?

On our most recent episode, we were joined by Geraldine Lawlor, Global Head of Financial Crime and Jonathan Evans, the Chair of our Public Interest Committee and former Director General of MI5 to talk about financial crime and cyber risk. With developments in technology, preventing and detecting financial crime is rapidly evolving to be one of the biggest challenges facing organisations. In the episode, we explore lessons learnt, best practices and what questions Non-Executive Directors should be asking of management.

Dylan Whitfield, HSBC – A forensic analyst’s view on audit and corporate governance reform

In this episode, KPMG host Michelle Hinchliffe is joined by Dylan Whitfield, Head of Forensic Accounting within Global Research at HSBC. Dylan shares his insights about what analysts and investors think of the BEIS consultation on Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance, ahead of the consultation response deadline of 8^th July 2021.

Listen as Dylan covers many of the recommendations set out in the BEIS consultation, including strengthening internal controls, introducing an Audit and Assurance Policy and also the role of the regulator, and how the package of reforms can help build confidence in the UK market. Dylan’s overriding view is that the proposals will represent a significant change for the better for the UK’s auditing, reporting and governance regime, and highlights that the relationship between the auditor and the shareholder will be one of the keys to success in the future.