Internal Audit is not a cost center—it is a strategic function that protects value, generates savings, improves resilience, and supports innovation.

✅ 1. Risk Mitigation

Internal Audit helps identify and mitigate significant business and compliance risks:

• Reduced GDPR, Sapin 2, and AML non-compliance risks

• Prevented €250M legal risk by identifying illegal software license usage​.

📉 2. Cost Reduction & Financial Impact

Internal audits have led to major cost-saving and cash optimization initiatives:

• €1.5B net price savings in European sourcing platform by replacing existing purchasing alliances or by consolidating purchasing (telco and retail)

• €70M cash flow improvement through supplier rebate and inventory process audits​.

⚙️ 3. Process & Operational Efficiency

Audit has directly driven operational improvements:

• Structured GenAI governance

• Reduced closing process timelines from 8 to 4 days at J&J Vision with SAP BI audit and rollout.

• Reduced maintenance and underutilized patents at Essilor, boosting R&D performance​.

🛡️ 4. Regulatory & Legal Compliance

Audit plays a central role in ensuring compliance and avoiding penalties:

• Supported interviews with AFA (Anti-Bribery Agency) and CNIL (French Data Protection Authority).

• Reviewed internal control frameworks for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance in multinational settings (USA, UK, EMEA).

• Ensured alignment with EU AI Act and labor law in GenAI governance

🔐 5. Cybersecurity Strengthening

Internal audit can assess and improve cybersecurity posture:

• Upgraded cybersecurity rating from D to B through targeted audits on SOCs and third-party management​.

💡 6. Strategic Advisory & Governance

Audit contributes to strategy and governance through:

• Establishing ERM programs for risk-based audit planning.

• Participating in integration projects and strategy setting in M&A and transformation contexts

• Aligning audit activities with company-wide transformation initiatives (GenAI CoEs, sourcing hubs, IP audits)​.

📊 7. Data-Driven Decision Support

Internal Audit has promoted the use of analytics and AI:

• Leveraged data analytics and GenAI to monitor KRIs and prioritize audits.

• Supported automated controls via ERP systems (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics).