Technology Risk & IT Audit Advisory
Big 4 methodology applied to IT controls, automated testing, and data integrity review for regulated businesses
Regulated organisations need assurance that their IT controls are effective and their data is reliable. We apply the same rigorous methodology used at Big 4 engagements across financial services, telecommunications, and professional services — identifying control gaps before auditors or regulators do.
The problem we solve
Regulated organisations — particularly in financial services, healthcare, and professional services — face growing pressure to demonstrate that their IT controls are effective, their data is reliable, and their automated processes are operating as intended. Internal teams often lack the specialist expertise to assess these controls rigorously, and audit findings in this area carry significant regulatory and reputational consequences.
As AI and automation become embedded in business operations, the controls landscape becomes more complex. IT general controls that were designed for manual processes may not adequately govern AI-assisted or fully automated decision-making systems.
How it works
Step 1: Scoping
We define the scope of the assessment based on your organisation’s control environment, regulatory context, and the systems under review. This typically covers access management, change management, IT operations, and security controls.
Step 2: Controls assessment
Using Big 4 methodology developed across 12+ years of KPMG and EY engagements, we assess IT general controls across the defined scope. We test design effectiveness and operating effectiveness, identifying control gaps, weaknesses, and exceptions.
Step 3: Automated controls testing
Using ACL and data analytics tools, we test automated business controls and perform data integrity review — identifying anomalies, exceptions, and data quality issues that manual testing would miss. This is particularly important for AI systems where input data quality directly affects output reliability.
Step 4: Findings and management action plans
We produce a formal controls assessment report with findings rated by risk severity, root cause analysis, and recommended management action plans with timelines and ownership. The report is structured for use in audit committee presentations or regulatory submissions.
Who this is for
Regulated businesses requiring IT general controls assessment for internal or external audit purposes
Organisations deploying AI or automated decision-making systems that need assurance over data quality and control effectiveness
Finance and risk teams preparing for regulatory examination or audit
Businesses that have received prior audit findings in IT controls and need remediation support
Frequenly asked questions
What industries do you work with on IT audit advisory?
Primarily financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, and professional services — industries where IT controls are subject to regulatory scrutiny and where prior engagements at EY and KPMG have developed our expertise base.
How is this different from our internal audit function?
Internal audit functions vary significantly in their IT and data analytics capability. We bring specialist expertise in automated controls testing using ACL and other analytics tools — providing a level of technical depth that most internal audit teams do not have in-house.
How long does an IT controls assessment take?
Typically 3–8 weeks depending on scope. Data integrity reviews and automated controls testing run concurrently with the controls assessment where possible.
Can you support us in responding to audit findings we have already received?
Yes. If you have existing findings from an external auditor or regulator, we can design management action plans, support remediation, and provide documentation to support your response.
Does this service cover AI systems specifically?
IT general controls assessment applies to the infrastructure and processes supporting all systems, including AI. For AI-specific governance requirements, this service can be combined with the AI Risk Assessment or EU AI Act Readiness engagement.
Ready for a rigorous IT controls assessment?
Audit findings in IT controls are preventable with the right expertise applied early. Book a discovery call and we will scope an assessment that addresses your specific control environment and regulatory context.
