Internal Audit
A dedicated module to plan, perform and monitor internal audits
In today’s regulatory and control environment, Internal Audit is no longer an occasional activity but a strategic function providing continuous assurance on the effectiveness of processes, controls and the governance model.
Relying on spreadsheets, email and non-integrated tools leads to fragmentation, delays and loss of traceability. What is needed is a single digital environment able to orchestrate planning, execution, reporting and follow-up across the entire audit cycle.
The MESA solution was created for exactly this. An Internal Audit module integrated into the MESA platform, powered by generative AI, that turns the audit process into a structured, traceable flow connected to risks, controls and other Risk functions.
The business challenge
From fragmentation to a structured audit process
Many organizations still run Internal Audit with scattered files, non-centralized documentation and activities coordinated by email.
MESA centralizes the entire audit cycle in a single digital environment, providing:
The result is an Internal Audit that is more focused, faster and easier to oversee, with full evidence of the activities carried out and the actions taken.
- Risk-based audit planning
- Structured workflows for execution, evidence and findings
- Real-time dashboards on audits, findings and remediation
- Complete audit trail and end-to-end traceability
- Native integration with risks, controls and other Risk modules
Risk-Based Planning
More focused audits, where they truly matter
A good audit starts with smart planning.
The MESA Internal Audit module makes it possible to build data-driven audit plans, identifying priority risk areas and aligning activities with business objectives and the expectations of the control bodies.
Planning thus becomes a strategic exercise, rather than a static compliance task.
Structured audit universe
- Mapping of processes, entities and auditable areas
- Direct link to risks, controls and regulatory frameworks
- Configurable and reusable prioritization criteria
Dynamic audit plans
- Annual and multi-year planning
- Flexible updates in response to emerging risks
- Coordination with the other control functions
Execution and Evidence
A single flow, from planning to follow-up
The effectiveness of an audit is measured by the quality of its execution.
MESA supports the team at every stage, with configurable workflows, reusable templates and structured evidence collection.
All within an integrated environment, with a complete audit trail and full compliance with traceability requirements.
End-to-end management of the audit cycle
- Scoping, work programme and task assignment
- Centralized collection of documents, interviews and evidence
- Structured management of findings, with classification and prioritization
- Guided reporting that can be shared with stakeholders
Remediation and follow-up
- Clear assignment of owners and deadlines
- Tracking of the progress of corrective actions
- Verification of the effective closure of findings
- Automatic escalations for delays and critical issues
Reporting and Information Flows
Continuous visibility for management and control bodies
Internal Audit interacts daily with the Control and Risk Committee, the Board of Statutory Auditors, the Supervisory Body and other control functions. MESA makes this dialogue smoother and better documented.
Reporting becomes a continuous process, rather than a last-minute exercise driven by deadlines.
Customized, real-time dashboards
- Progress status of the audit plan
- Map of findings by area, process and risk level
- Progress of corrective actions and remediation
- Dedicated KPIs by function and by control body
Integrated management of information flows to internal bodies
- Preparation of meetings, minutes and related documentation
- Coordination of information flows from the various corporate functions
- Monitoring of the awareness, application and effectiveness of protocols and procedures
Audit Integrated into Risk
Connected governance, no longer siloed
An effective audit cannot be isolated from risk management, internal controls and compliance.
The MESA Internal Audit module is an integral part of a unified GRC ecosystem, where risks, controls, policies, third parties and regulatory obligations coexist within a single data model.
The result is assurance that is more robust, more consistent and easier to explain to the board.
- Direct link between the audit plan and the Risk Universe
- Reuse of controls and frameworks already mapped in the platform
- Consistency with organizational models under Italian Legislative Decree 231/2001, Law 262/2005, the Tax Control Framework and other control schemes
- An overall view of audits, compliance, risks and remediation
The MESA Approach
Internal Audit powered by Artificial Intelligence
- Summarizes large and complex documentation
- Analyzes audit attachments and flags anomalies
- Supports the drafting of reports and working papers
- Assists the auditor during remote and on-site reviews
MESA AI embeds generative artificial intelligence directly into the audit process, speeding up highly time-consuming tasks and freeing up time for analysis and professional judgment. It is Internal Audit designed for the AI era.
Turn Internal Audit into a strategic function
Risk-based planning. Structured execution. Continuous reporting. Native integration with Risk. Four pillars. One single intelligent platform.
MESA enables organizations to evolve from a fragmented Internal Audit to an assurance model that is structured, traceable and integrated into corporate governance.
- More focused and better prioritized audits
- Fewer manual activities and shorter management times
- Greater quality, consistency and completeness of evidence
- More effective follow-up on corrective actions
- Continuous visibility on audits, findings and remediation
- More robust, transparent and measurable governance
Want to strengthen your Internal Audit system?
Discover how MESA can support an audit process that is more effective, digital and connected to the rest of corporate governance.