The head of a new governance and risk consultancy says internal audits are an integral part of risk management

It might not be sexy but the head of a new governance and risk consultancy says internal audits are an integral part of risk management.

Moore Stephens has hired Anjit Ahuja to head up a new team dedicated to delivering governance, risk and assurance services.

Ahuja spent 11 years in industry and eight years in consultancy implementing business risk services before joining Moore Stephens.

"Internal audit is seen by too many businesses as just a compliance requirement, and a mere tick-box item at that," he warned. "But it should be seen in the wider context of good overall risk management practice, delivering genuine benefit to business performance.

"As with all risk management-related initiatives, the time to act is now," he added.

The new governance and risk unit will work with a number of industries including insurance, shipping, financial services and the public sector.

“The new team will advise and support all the specialist industry groups on best practice in internal auditing, corporate governance, IT assurance, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and business risk management functions," explained Ahuja.