Olivia Whipple, CIA
Olivia Whipple is an owner and co-founder at The Audit Library. She has over fifteen years of financial institution and audit industry experience, and has served in both internal and external audit roles.
Olivia created many of the documents in the Library, which are the product of her industry knowledge as well as a lifelong passion for writing. As a business writer, Olivia also contributes to The Audit Library Blog, where she educates readers about auditing theory, professional practice, and the unique challenges and opportunities auditors experience. Olivia serves Credit Union clients as an assurance consultant, where her prior experience as a Chief Audit Executive provides first-hand perspective. Over the course of her career, Olivia has learned the value that Internal Audit brings to organizations, and created new ways to unlock the audit activity’s potential by providing resources where they are needed most.
In addition to her consulting and leadership roles, Olivia makes the time to volunteer and perform speaking engagements for various professional and industry organizations. Olivia also volunteers for Girls on the Run, an organization dedicated to cultivating confidence and positivity in elementary-aged girls.
Olivia holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Oregon and a Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate from Portland State University. She is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and lives in the Charlotte, NC area.
Other Posts by Olivia
Fraud Spotlight: Theft Uncovered at a Not-for-Profit
This is the latest in a series of blog posts highlighting real people who have uncovered frauds. We’ll break down the frauds, explore auditing theories
Fraud Spotlight: An Auditor Becomes a Whistleblower
This is the latest in a series of blog posts highlighting real auditors who have uncovered major frauds. We’ll break down the frauds, explore auditing
Fraud Spotlight: A Forensic Accountant Discovers Two Schemes
This is the first in a series of blog posts highlighting real auditors who have uncovered major frauds. We’ll break down the frauds, explore auditing
Common Mistakes New Auditors Make, and How to Fix Them
All human beings are creatures who change with their environment and circumstances. Auditors are in the unique position of watching this progress in real time.
Quality Assurance Reviews: A Client’s Perspective
The Chief Audit Executive at Crane Credit Union in Indiana, Tom Cosby, was one of the earliest adopters to The Audit Library subscription service. He
Auditors and Work Relationships: What to Do When You Love (or Hate) Your Auditees
We are officially in the holiday season! A time to reflect on all the good things in our lives, despite this being a particularly difficult
Auditing Your Corporate Culture
Auditing corporate culture is an emerging issue in the Internal Audit industry. A strong corporate culture can promote ethical behavior, improve employee loyalty, and cultivate
Audit and Compliance: Where to Draw the Line
In my experience, people are inherently good and want to do the right thing. For most of our lives we don’t need to prove our
COVID-19 Trends and How Auditors Should Respond
In a short time, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the world and changed how Credit Unions do business. Our most recent articles revealed how individual
Coronavirus: Affecting Us All In Different Ways
In our previous blog post, we shared some advice on how audit plans and daily activities may need to change due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Auditing Compliance 101
My business partner John and I spend a lot of time talking to Internal Auditors, noting trending topics and emerging issues. While The Audit Library
Six Things That Happen to Every Auditor, and How to Handle Them
I’ve been an auditor of some sort since 2006. Several of my closest friends are former colleagues I met on the job, including my business
New Year’s Resolutions for Internal Auditors
Happy New Year everyone! 2019 was full of challenges, opportunities, and adventures for The Audit Library team. 2020 is looking to be busier and better
Auditees Say the Darndest Things!
Last September, I signed on to coach a girls’ running team my daughter participates in. After I was trained and first aid certified, I was
Internal Audit and Risk
My business partner John and I spend a lot of time talking to Internal Auditors. We ask many questions, gathering feedback to make sure our
Effective Audit Budgeting
Auditors, budget season is quickly approaching! Are you prepared? Do you need some solid tips and sound advice to create a budget that is effective,
Leadership Changes Are Coming! Are You Ready?
I recently returned from a trip to Europe with my husband. We had a lovely time visiting ancient churches, viewing many of the world’s treasures,
Auditors Know Everything, Right?!
One morning I got a call at my desk, from an employee in another department. I knew this person, but we didn’t interact often. This
Internal and External Audit: Advice for a Successful Working Relationship
Internal and External Auditors are often lumped into the same category. While there are many similarities, and grey areas that can cause confusion, these two
Quality Assurance Reviews 101
As an Internal Auditor, you spend the majority of your time reviewing other people’s work; making sure they are following laws, policies, procedures and best practices. Then
Are You Using Electronic Workpapers?
One of my best memories from my days working at CPA firms was a hilarious email stream about electronic workpapers. Yes, you read that right!
Auditor Resignations 101
In my previous post, I wrote about the circumstances that lead auditors to resign. Today I’m going to discuss the next phase, the resignation itself.
When it’s Time to Start Looking
Auditing is an unusual profession for many reasons, one of which is our high turnover. Many auditors, even those less than ten years out of
Management is NOT the Enemy!
Is there a more complicated relationship on earth than Internal Audit and Management? Management has more power than we do, but they can’t fire us.
The Audit Library Consulting Group
Friends, readers and subscribers, I have a special announcement! After many weeks of planning and much work behind the scenes, The Audit Library has expanded
Auditor Charm School
In a perfect world, we would be judged on our work product alone. We would sit in our offices or cubicles, sampling, testing and typing
“Audit Said so” is NOT a Reason!
I worked as a bank teller for about five years, after I got my undergrad degree. Equal parts human regulatory encyclopedia, expert cashier, crisis negotiator,
Recommended Reading for Auditors
I love to read, but my relationship with business writing is complicated. It takes a special person to have both writing skills and business acumen.
Planning, Budgeting and Time-Tracking 101
It is officially planning season! A time for reflection, decision making and patience. Soon to be followed by negotiation, questioning and explaining. And more explaining. Followed
Should You Join a Board?
Well, look at that! A friend, co-worker, acquaintance, neighbor, or fellow parent from your child’s school has asked you to join a board! Isn’t this
Why Internal Auditors Should NOT Write Company Policies
Internal Auditors should not be involved in the creation of company policies. There are several reasons, based on theory and on situations I have personally
Create Audit Department Metrics with Excel
I was at a conference a few years back; sitting in a crowd of at least 300 auditors, most of whom were in leadership at
Whistleblower Hotlines 101
In the auditing world, very few things are simple to understand and easy to accomplish. Today’s topic is an exception. Establishing a whistleblower hotline is
Welcome to The Audit Library Blog!
Hello readers, and welcome to The Audit Library Blog! This is a blog for auditors at any point in their careers. There will be posts
