Soha Khan
36 posts
Oct 07, 2026
4:29 AM
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Riyadh’s financial environment is becoming increasingly digital, changing the priorities of internal audit functions. With electronic payments, cloud platforms, open banking, automated reporting, electronic invoicing, and artificial intelligence becoming more common, businesses must assess technology alongside traditional financial controls. A consultant internal audit approach can help organizations review system access, transaction accuracy, cybersecurity, data governance, automated controls, and regulatory compliance. Electronic payments represented 85% of Saudi Arabia’s retail payments in 2025, while electronic transactions reached 14.6 billion. This growth increases the need for effective payment authorization, reconciliation, exception monitoring, and access controls.
ZATCA’s electronic invoicing requirements also make invoice data quality, system integration, tax information, and transmission controls important audit areas. Cybersecurity, cloud finance systems, vendor access, and artificial intelligence introduce additional risks that can affect financial reporting and business continuity. Modern internal audit should therefore combine financial, technology, regulatory, and operational risk assessment. Riyadh organizations can benefit from continuous monitoring, data analytics, access reviews, automated control testing, and third party risk assessments. As digital finance continues expanding, effective audit functions will need to become more technology aware and data driven while maintaining strong traditional financial controls.
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