🎙 Governance Unplugged – Episode 11
Small but Mighty: Running a High-Impact Audit Function with Limited Resources with Ingo Hartmann
Welcome back to Governance Unplugged! In Episode 11, Thomas sits down with Ingo Hartmann, Head of Group Audit & Consulting at Maxon, to unpack how lean internal audit teams can punch well above their weight. With 20+ years across internal audit, risk, and compliance (including Big-4 and industry roles), Ingo shares practical strategies for credibility, focus, and influence when you don’t have a big headcount.
🎯 Episode Highlights
✅ Closer to the business = earlier risk sensing. Small teams build trust faster, hear the “real story,” and spot issues before they escalate.
✅ Credibility through consistency. Deliver what you promise, meet deadlines, and show up prepared — reliability beats volume of reports.
✅ Focus where it matters (the 20% driving 80% of risk). Use risk-based planning across process, IT, and board/shareholder lenses; keep reporting sharp and succinct.
✅ Narrative over noise. Position audit as a connector and enabler — tell impact stories (risk reduction, safer operations, better decisions), not just lists of findings.
✅ Say “no” to protect “yes.” Avoid overcommitting; defend independence and quality by being transparent about priorities and capacity.
✅ Scale with partnerships. Use guest auditors (finance, procurement, etc.) with light training and clear guidance; co-/outsourcing for specialist topics (e.g., IT, ESG).
✅ Board engagement that counts. Regularly gather insights from directors; align on top risks and trade-offs (e.g., supply-chain stock decisions and their real costs).
✅ Pragmatic yet principled. Be approachable and solution-oriented while staying independent and compliant — clarity about the audit mission keeps the balance.
✅ Looking ahead. Smart use of AI in audit — and a cultural shift so leaders see audit as a driver of improvement, not a “pain.”
💡 Key Takeaway
Lean audit teams win by focus, reliability, and storytelling. When you consistently deliver on the few things that matter most — and communicate the value — size stops being the headline.
🔗 Connect with Ingo Hartmann
LinkedIn: Ingo Hartmann https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingo-hartmann-44a53a8/
📝 Disclaimer
The views expressed by the guest are personal and do not represent any current or former employer.
🎧 Listen & Join the Conversation
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