#IIABelConf25
Our conference is set to be our biggest event of the year, bringing together internal audit professionals from across Belgium and beyond. Taking place on 16 & 17 October 2025 at the Holiday Inn Brussels Airport (easily accessible by car with free parking and train - 7 min walk from train station), this year’s conference is inspired by the Vision 2035 Report and focuses on the future of internal audit under the title “Audit Beyond Today” .
As the world of internal audit evolves, this year’s event will explore the role of the next-gen internal auditor, equipping professionals with the insights and tools to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.
A two-day experience packed with insights and interaction
DAY 1 | ||
| 09:00 | Welcome by IIA Sofie Pollet & Cedric Hamaekers | |
| 9:10 - 9:30 | State of the Profession Isabel Derison | |
| 9:30 - 10:20 | Scale vs Soul Dado Van Peteghem | |
| 10:20 - 11:10 | c-Level Mindset Caroline Van Den Bosch | |
| 11:10 - 11:30 | Coffee Break / Networking |
| 11:40 - 12:10 | Future-proof audit strategy Agnieszka Kazmierczak | |
| 12:10 - 12:30 | Panel Discussion Dado Van Peteghem, Agnieszka Krazmierczak & Deniz Guloren |
| 12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch / Networking |
| 13:30 - 14:00 | Navigating the Unknown: Audit Leadership in the Age of Uncertainty Olivier Elst | The Internal Auditor of the Future: How to Operate in a Political Sensitive Climate Daina Konter & Charlot Oltmans |
| 14:00 | Room changes | |
| 14:10 - 14:40 | The Strategic Soul of Assurance and Advisory: Blurring Lines in a Systemically Transformed Landscape Ralu Nistor-Lustermans | Evolving Together: Empowering Internal Audit as a Strategic Partner in a Connected Risk Landscape Annemie Pelgrims & Chris Sudlow |
| 14:40 | Room changes | |
| 14:50 - 15:30 | Panel: Challenges in implementing the new standards Kat Seeuws, Peter De Konick | Enhancing internal audit : the audits follow-up dashboard as a lever for transparency and efficiency. Jean-Michel Cassiers |
| 15:30 - 16:00 | Coffee Break / Networking |
| 16:00 - 16:50 | NextGenAuditor Alexander Ruehle | |
| 16:50 | Closing Remarks Sofie Pollet & Cedric Hamaekers |
| 17:00 - 24:00 | Social Event & AFTERPARTY |
DAY 2
| Day 2 | 09:00 - 13:00 Putting theory into practice: The second day will dive deeper with interactive workshops that bring the key themes of Day 1 to life through real-world applications and case studies, such as AI Prompting, GIAS, Culture, Product demo’s, etc. |
What to expect?
- Engaging keynote speakers: Hear from industry leaders and visionaries who will share their expertise and experiences.
- Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow professionals, share best practices, and expand your professional network.
- Partner exhibition area: Discover innovative solutions and services from our partners.
Stay connected with us for updates and announcements. Follow us on social media and visit our website regularly for the latest information! We look forward to welcoming you to our conference!
Workshops
KPMG
“How to grasp the dynamics of culture during your audits?”
Organizational culture is often described as “how things really get done” - but how well do we, as internal auditors, recognise its subtle drivers and warning signs? During this interactive workshop we will explore the different drivers of culture through the KPMG soft controls model as well as the importance of being mindful of cultural signals that influence behavior, decision-making, and organization’s risk. Through real-world examples and practical tools, participants will learn how to identify indicators of cultural misalignment and how to address them constructively within their audit work. Join us to strengthen your cultural awareness and enhance your impact as a trusted auditor.
Diligent
Mohammed Malek presenting:
The Future of Data-Driven Internal Audit: How AI Enables Code-Free Analytics and New Insights
Synopsis:
Imagine asking your audit software, “Show me the riskiest transactions in our accounts payable data”—and getting an answer, complete with an auditable script, in seconds. That’s the power of natural language analytics.
In this session, we’ll explore howAI-driven natural language interfaces are removing the technical barriers to data analytics—empowering internal auditors to perform sophisticated testing without writing a single line of code. Whether you're analyzing journal entries, vendor payments, or access logs, this new capability puts powerful, repeatable analytics into every auditor’s hands.
You’ll learn:
- How natural language queries turn audit questions into data-driven insights
- Why this shift is redefining audit planning, fieldwork, and issue detection
- How no-code analytics is helping audit teams improve risk coverage and deliver value faster
We'll close with a quick look at how this technology integrates into the broader GRC ecosystem—supporting continuous assurance and a stronger overall risk posture., with a demo.
Perfect for audit leaders and practitioners looking to scale analytics, increase efficiency, and modernize their approach without adding complexity.
Caseware
Primary topics:
- Caseware IDEA
- The dedicated data analysis tool created by auditors for auditors.
- https://www.caseware.com/products/idea/
- Caseware SmartExporter & Apps
- The SAP(r) table extraction tool - Extracting SAP(r) tables without bothering the SAP(r) Admin
- https://smartexporter.com/
- App - Order-to-Cash
- App - Purchase-to-Pay
- Caseware Extractly
- Substantive Testing and Document Verification
- https://www.caseware.com/products/extractly/
Secondary topics - NEW (Informational):
- Caseware Validate
- An AI-Powered Financial Statement Review Tool
- https://www.caseware.com/products/validate/
- Caseware Internal Audit
- Purpose-built for the New IIA Standards
- https://www.caseware.com/products/internal-audit/
Auditboard
Audit Beyond Today - AuditBoard's Perspective as a Technology Partner
To compliment the Vision 2035-inspired conference theme of 'Audit BeyondToday', this session will focus on AuditBoard's perspective as a technology partner to some of the world's leading businesses.
We will explore the themes of AI and automation through the prisms of:
AuditBoard's AI and automation journey to dateExamples of recently-released AI functionality and, how AuditBoard is thinking about AI and automation to support the 'next-gen internal auditor'.
Zapliance
Alexander Rühle presenting:
Human-AI Collaboration in Audit: Smarter Documentation, Faster Reporting
- Workshop abstract:
- Discover how auditors and AI agents can work together to streamline audit documentation and reporting.
In this session, Alexander will use an SAP audit scenario to illustrate how human expertise and AI capabilities combine to:
- Efficiently capture and evaluate audit evidence
- Accelerate work paper preparation through AI-assisted drafting
- Strengthen judgment and oversight by letting auditors focus on critical risks
See how AI acts as an audit assistant—automating routine tasks while auditors guide, review, and apply professional skepticism. Learn practical strategies for effective human-AI interaction, maximizing audit quality and efficiency.
Perfect for auditors ready to leverage AI as a true partner in their workflow.
IIA (Kat Seeuws)
Elevating Internal Audit Practices:Addressing New Topical Requirements within the IPPF Framework
The growing suite of Topical Requirements formalizes how internal auditors evaluate prevalent risk areas to promote quality and consistency within the profession. To be used in conjunction with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Topical Requirements establish a baseline for auditing specific risk areas. They ensure that all internal audit functions— serving any organization, large or small, in the private or public sector —apply consistent approaches and benchmarks when assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management, and controls.
Join Kat Seeuws, Vice President ofStandards and Guidance, who will facilitate an interactive workshop that combines insights with practical exercises. Participants will not only hear about the development of Topical Requirements but will alsoactively engage in applying them to real-life scenarios through guided discussions and group activities. This hands-on approach will encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reflection on practical challenges.
During the session, participants will be invited to explore:
- The changing risk landscape that is informing the development of Topical Requirements.
- How Topical Requirements strengthen the work of internal auditors and strategies for implementing Topical Requirements to enhance internal auditing practices.
Following the session, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate the contribution of Topical Requirements to addressing pervasive risks.
- Apply Topical Requirements through exercises and case-based activities, exploring different approaches to their implementation.
- Evaluate how Topical Requirements will enhance the consistency and quality of internal audit services.
Wolters Kluwer
Miguel Manrique (Senior Consultant, Teammate) presenting:
What Engineering Taught Me About Auditing
Engineers and auditors may work in different domains, but they share a common foundation: a structured approach to problem-solving, a systems mindset, and a focus on continuous improvement. This webinar explores how key principles from engineering - such as systems thinking, root cause analysis, and process optimization - can elevate the way auditors assess risk, analyze findings, and drive meaningful change.
Join us as we unpack how engineering mindsets and methodologies can be applied to modern audit practices. Whether you come from a technical background or are simply looking to enhance your critical thinking, this session will provide fresh perspectives and practical insights to strengthen your audit work.
Learning Objectives:
- Discover how core engineering principles like systems thinking and root cause analysis can strengthen audit planning and execution.
- Understand how structured problem-solving methods can be applied to identify control weaknesses and drive continuous improvement.
- Explore how a mindset shift - from identifying problems to solving them - can enhance the strategic impact of internal audit.
Carolien Van Den Bosch
International keynote Speaker | Author & Executive Coach
Carolien empowers individuals and organizations to unlock their potential and build thriving, resilient workplaces. Drawing on extensive corporate expertise and a deep commitment to wellbeing, she blends evidence-based strategies with infectious enthusiasm. Her talks and workshops inspire professionals at every level to embrace actionable insights, fostering personal growth and long-lasting impact for teams and organizations alike.
Dado Van Peteghem
International Keynote Speaker | AI & Leadership
Dado is a founding partner at the digital advisory firm Imagin3 Studio, and co-founder of the platforms Social Seeder and Speakersbase. Dado studied Communication & Computer Sciences at the University of Ghent and is a published author of 3 business books: "Digital Transformation" (2014) with Jo Caudron, "Corporate Venturing" (2018) with Omar Mohout and "Metasystems" (2020) with Nils van Dam. Dado actively helps organizations with their innovation vision and strategy. As a member of the strategy committee of leading fashion group Chalhoub Group in Dubai, he often spends time in the Middle East and Asia.
Scale vs Soul
In an era where AI scales faster and thinks quicker, the question isn’t just what machines can do, but what we as humans and organizations still uniquely bring to the table. How can we harness AI’s 100x power without losing our human touch? What truly sets us apart from machines, and how do we build organizations that SCALE without losing SOUL?
Isabel Derison
Lead Director of the Global Board of Directors, IIA | Partner in Business Risk Services, Grant Thornton Belgium
Isabel is the 2025-26 Outside North America Lead Director on the Global Board of Directors of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). She also served as President of the Board of Directors with IIA Belgium (2021-2024) and is a Partner in Business Risk Services at Grant Thornton Belgium.
Isabel has over 20 years of experience in internal and external auditing. She began her career as an external auditor at KPMG and after 6 years transitioned to an internal auditor role at SD Worx (Payroll/HR). In 2017 she developed the internal audit function at ZNA (the largest hospital network in Belgium). In 2022, she joined the partner team at Grant Thornton Belgium.
Agnieszka Ewa Kaźmierczak
The Internal Auditor of the European Commission, Director General of the Internal Audit Service
Agnieszka has served for over 25 years as a senior manager in the public service at national and EU level. She is currently leading the Internal Audit Service of the European Commission as its director general, providing assurance and consulting to the Commission but also to a large number of autonomous EU agencies and bodies.
During her posting to the Polish Ministry of Finance (1998-2002) she introduced internal auditing into the Polish public sector and contributed to the development of the financial control system for EU funds. Having joined the European Commission in 2005, she served first as Director in the Internal Audit Service and then as Resource Director for the departments of energy and transport, where she was in charge of budget, finance, risk management, internal control, HR and IT. Between 2019 and 2023, as Director General of the Euratom Supply Agency, she led the common supply policy for nuclear materials and fuel for EU users.
Alexander Rühle
CEO & Co-Founder | Zapliance
Alexander, CEO and Co-Founder of Zapliance, is a seasoned expert in AI, data analytics, and SAP for Internal Audit and Accounting. With extensive hands-on experience, he excels at empowering organizations to build trust in their governance frameworks. Alexander's innovative approach transforms subject matter experts into skilled data analysts who communicate with clarity and drive impactful results.
As a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Information Systems Auditor, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the forefront. Additionally, Alexander has established a strong LinkedIn presence with over 20,000 followers, where he shares valuable insights and encourages discussions on the latest trends in technology and auditing. His commitment to continuous learning and practical advice makes him a highly sought-after speaker at industry conferences
Chris Sudlow
Product Solutions Manager (EMEA) | AuditBoard
Chris , CIA, currently works as a Product Solutions Manager (EMEA) at AuditBoard, working with internal audit, risk, and compliance teams to explore tailor-made product solutions that fit their needs. Prior to joining AuditBoard, Chris held a multifunctional role at global high-end electronics manufacturer discoverIE Group, where he was responsible for risk management, internal audit, and compliance activities as part of a small head office function. Chris started his career at Amazon, where he specialised in counter-fraud, compliance, and third party management, and subsequently joined the award-winning internal audit team at Lidl GB
Annemie Pelgrims
Client Partner | TriFinance Risk Advisory Belgium
Annemie is a client-focused senior internal audit executive with a proven record in the set-up, development and management of internal audit departments within private, publicly listed and government owned national and international companies, across a variety of industrial and commercial sectors. She has significant experience with SOX compliance activities, including implementing and managing SOX-compliant environments. She has successfully implemented Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks. Responsible for external assessments of the conformity of Internal Audit departments with the international standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.
Olivier Elst
Partner & Head of Enterprise Risk Services | KPMG
Olivier is a Partner and the Head of KPMG’s Enterprise Risk Services in Belgium. With nearly 20 years of experience, he specializes in Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Control, and Business Continuity across both corporate and (semi-)public sectors.
Prior to joining KPMG, Olivier spent over a decade in the industry, leading Internal Audit and Internal Control engagements across Europe. His extensive experience enables him to bring valuable insights and innovative approaches to his work.
Olivier thrives on collaborating closely with clients and colleagues on Internal Audit and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) projects. In addition to his client-facing responsibilities, he plays a key leadership role within the Enterprise Risk Services cluster. He also serves as the internal Functional Risk Partner for KPMG Advisory and actively contributes to business development initiatives in the energy sector.
Olivier’s international experience, spanning industry roles and consulting across first, second, and third line functions, equips him with fresh perspectives and inspiration to challenge the status quo.
Daina Konter
Sectormanager Operational Audit | Auditdienst Rijk
Dr. Daina Konter leads a division of approximately 60 operational auditors at the Dutch Central Government Audit Service (Auditdienst Rijk), supporting multiple ministries in strengthening public governance. She is a board member of IIA Netherlands, where she contributes to the strategic development of the internal audit profession. Daina holds a PhD from the Erasmus School of Economics and is committed to sustainable workforce development. Her leadership focuses on strategic human capital, long-term audit capability building, and fostering a collaborative culture that aligns audit expertise with organisational goals and societal impact.
Charlot Oltmans
Operational Audit Manager | Auditdienst Rijk
Charlot Oltmans MSc RO is an operational audit manager at the Dutch Central Government Audit Service (Auditdienst Rijk), specialized in operational audits on organizational behavior, governance, and change management. As a strategic advisor to senior civil servants, she regularly leads politically and administratively sensitive investigations. Within the ADR, she mentors junior colleagues and recently initiated the organization’s Strategic Workforce Plan.
Jean Michel Cassiers
Senior Audit Executive | Joint Audit Service
Jean-Michel is a experienced senior audit executive leading the Joint Audit Service between Wallonia and the French Community of Belgium since 2017, overseeing a team of more than 50 auditors. Mandated by both the Walloon Government and the Government of the French Community since 2017, he supports public governance through strategic audit leadership. He is also member of several audit committees as an independent expert, including Chair of the Audit Committee of the International Organisation of La Francophonie and the Audit Committee of the Brussels Regional Public Service.
He was a member of IIA Belgium board from 2008 to 2014, which he chairs in 2013 and 2014.
Location
Holiday Inn Brussels Airport hotel is an attractive business venue, ideally located near Brussels Airport and NATO HQ. The location is easily accessible by car with free parking and train only 7 min walk from Diegem train station.
Our Partners
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, whose generous support is instrumental in making this event possible. Their commitment is greatly appreciated! Thank you for being an integral part of IIA Belgium!
Connect, Learn & Celebrate!
Our conference is more than just a learning opportunity, it’s the biggest networking event of the year for internal auditors in Belgium. Connect with peers, share experiences and engage in meaningful discussions. And don’t miss our walking dinner and evening party, the perfect setting to relax in a joyful atmosphere.
Benefit from discounts!
If you register until 11/09, you will benefit from our early-bird offer! Group discounts apply as well (10% as of 3 tickets, 20% for 4 tickets or more)!