Auditing Information Systems, Second Edition

14.2. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Becoming actively involved with local chapters of professional auditing associations can be one of the most important career-enhancing activities an auditor can undertake. Besides providing a forum for learning about technical subjects, active participation can contribute greatly to professional growth by allowing one to network with local auditing peers. Holding leadership positions can also provide a high profile for an organization's audit group and the organization in general. Furthermore, holding officer positions can provide valuable leadership and teamwork skills in a democratic, not-for-profit environment.

For example, I was elected to the seven-member national board of directors of the Association of Credit Union Internal Auditors (ACUIA) for the 2000–2002 term. The ACUIA is a not-for-profit volunteer-led organization primarily serving the needs of credit union internal auditors throughout the United States. Additional interested parties include members of supervisory committees (the credit union version of audit committees) and external auditors and vendors serving credit union internal auditors. As of mid-2002, the ACUIA had about 600 members.

As a volunteer board member, I have gained valuable leadership experience that I might not otherwise have been able to obtain directly in my position as an IS audit manager. My responsibilities included contributing to the long-term strategic planning of the organization, ...