5 Travel Tips for Internal Auditors
In my very first month as an internal auditor at my firm, fresh-faced and bright-eyed from university, I was sent on a week-long work trip to East Java, Indonesia. I had never set foot in this part of Indonesia, let alone for work. This experience set the tempo for the next few years of my career, during which I had the privilege of travelling to various countries in Southeast Asia, averaging about 8-10 trips a year. Each trip, sometimes lasting up to four weeks, presented unique experiences that enriched my professional journey and taught me valuable lessons about travelling for work. Here are five tips that have helped me and will hopefully help you too!
- Preparation
Before your trip, conduct thorough research about your destination and stay informed about travel alerts. My firm automatically registers us for International SOS alerts whenever we travel overseas, and I also personally e-register myself on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs system. These alerts proved invaluable during a recent trip to Jakarta, where planned protests were expected near our hotel. Being informed allowed us to proactively adjust our travel schedule and avoid being caught up in the crowd. Taking these preparatory steps ensures you stay safe and well-informed throughout your journey.
- Safety
Prioritise your safety by familiarising yourself with emergency procedures at your accommodations and the client or auditee’s office. Maintain health precautions, including having adequate insurance, necessary vaccinations, and essential medications. I always bring basic medications such as Panadol, charcoal pills, and probiotics, as your gut microbiome may not be used to the local food. If you are visiting sites that require personal protective equipment, check with the client or auditee to see if they can provide a set. Personal Protective Exquipment (PPE) can also be purchased in Singapore at local hardware stores, Mr DIY, or Beach Road Army Market. By taking these steps, you can ensure readiness for any health or safety challenges that may arise during your trip.
- Data Security
Travelling for work often means bringing sensitive data – whether it is the firm’s, clients’, or auditees’ – and data security may sometimes be overlooked in the bustle of the trip.
Protect sensitive data by using a privacy screen if you are planning to work in public spaces, such as cafes or your hotel breakfast area. When connecting to Wi-Fi, always ensure that you are connected through your firm’s VPN to secure your internet connection and protect confidential information. Additionally, make sure that all your devices, including your company laptop and personal phone, are kept secure and with you at all times, especially when moving between multiple locations. This helps prevent any potential data breaches or loss of critical information.
- Expense Management
Keeping track of your expenses to ensure that they stay within budget can be a hassle in practice – fiddling with numerous receipts and monitoring expenses from multiple modes of payment. To streamline this process, consider using a dedicated expenses app, such as Spendee, for your work trips. These apps can help you organise and categorise your expenses, making it easier to manage your budget. Additionally, I have found that scanning my receipts immediately using apps like CamScanner or OneDrive scanner helps ensure I do not have to worry about losing a receipt or risk it fading before I can submit it for claims. This practice saves time and reduces the stress of managing physical receipts. If you are using the Grab app in the countries you are travelling to, you can download a summary of all your transactions, including food, car, or bike services, through the Grab website. This feature provides a comprehensive overview of your expenses, simplifying the expense reporting process.
- Cultural Awareness
Cultural awareness is the bridge that connects you with people around the world, including your local counterparts, team members, and clients. Building rapport starts with small gestures, such as learning basic phrases in the local language like “Good morning” or “Thank you”. Respecting cultural norms, such as dress codes and working hours, also plays a significant role. For instance, in Indonesia and Malaysia, break times on Fridays may be longer due to Muslim Friday prayers. Additionally, being mindful of local public holidays or cultural events that may occur during your visit is essential. Collaborate with your local counterparts to ensure that your audit visits do not significantly disrupt their daily routines. This consideration not only fosters a respectful working relationship but also enhances your effectiveness as an internal auditor in diverse settings.
As I reflect on these points, my work trips have transcended mere professional engagements; they have been transformative journeys of personal and cultural discovery. Each lesson learned has not only enhanced my professional skills but also deepened my empathy as a global citizen. As I prepare for my next destination, I carry these five points with me, hoping they will also benefit you, fellow readers, on your upcoming work trips. Safe travels!
Cornelia Tisa is an Enterprise Risk Services Manager at KPMG Singapore and a member of the IIA Singapore Young Professionals Working Group (YPWG).
