Audit committees are under increasing scrutiny as the complexity and scope of risks facing organizations expand. The 2024 Audit Committee Transparency Barometer from the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) highlights a growing demand for greater accountability in overseeing financial reporting and emerging areas like cybersecurity and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risks. To meet these demands and build investor confidence, audit committees must shift toward more strategic and integrated approaches to risk management.

Understanding the dynamics of risk management is critical for audit committees and boards of directors in the ever-evolving corporate governance landscape. The recent CAQ-Deloitte 2024 Audit Committee Practices Report and Wheelhouse Advisors' 2024 IRM Navigator™ Annual Viewpoint Report provide comprehensive insights into these dynamics. These reports highlight the increasing significance of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Integrated Risk Management (IRM) technology, shedding light on their critical roles in navigating today's complex risk environment. This article delves into the key findings of these reports, exploring how IRM technology bridges the gap between ERM, Operational Risk Management (ORM), Technology Risk Management (TRM), and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC).