Oct. 8, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies that can adapt in the face of significant change, and even take advantage of untapped opportunities, share one thing in common: They understand the power of their internal audit departments. Protiviti has captured the secrets and best practices of some of the globe's more internal audit-savvy businesses in the fifth volume of its Internal Auditing Around the World series - Profiles of Internal Audit Functions at Leading International Companies Undergoing Significant Change.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090115/AQTH541LOGO)

In the new publication, Protiviti, a global business consulting and internal audit firm, tells the stories of internal audit departments that are driving more effective business operations and improving their companies' bottom lines during times of great change. The latest volume profiles 11 successful international companies undergoing such significant changes as restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and industry transformation.

"The need to create greater transparency, establish sound corporate governance and understand risk exposures has never been greater. The most successful internal audit leaders, like those featured in this guide, have identified ways to partner more effectively with their boards and management, as well as provide accountability to key stakeholders such as investors and customers," said Bob Hirth, Protiviti executive vice president and head of global internal audit. "Our new edition of Internal Auditing Around the World is designed to guide and inspire internal auditors to effect change in their own organizations by sharing the best practices and key insights of internal audit leaders in companies like Microsoft, Unilever, and United Health Group among others."

A complimentary copy of Profiles of Internal Audit Functions at Leading International Companies Undergoing Significant Change is available from Protiviti at www.protiviti.com/go/iaaroundtheworld5.

One company featured in the new publication - Continental Airlines - has seen more than its share of changes in recent years. Faced with the triple threat of reduced airline capacity, increased industry merger and acquisition activity, and budget cuts, Steve Goepfert, staff vice president of internal audit, and his lean team have found ways to succeed while doing more with less. "Too often, when things get difficult, auditors either stay with the tried and true, like doing the routine compliance audits, or become distracted and veer in many different directions," Goepfert said.