The Agile Auditor in an Age of Disruption: Why Agility Alone Is No Longer Enough
We’re living in an era where change is no longer gradual, it's constant. Technology is accelerating. Expectations are shifting. And professions that were once considered stable and predictable are now being forced to adapt in real time.
That’s why the idea of the agile auditor matters more than ever.
But agility isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a mindset. And ironically, the most agile auditor I’ve ever seen is someone on their very first day.
What Does It Mean to Be an Agile Auditor?
At its simplest, agility means being:
Lean: Avoiding unnecessary complexity
Flexible: Adapting when conditions change
Nimble: Responding quickly under pressure
Agility isn’t just a process or a methodology. It’s a mindset.
Ironically, the most agile auditor you’ll ever meet is often someone on their very first day.
They don’t know the rules yet.
They aren’t locked into habits.
They’re curious, uncomfortable, and open.
That discomfort is what makes them agile.
Why I Started My Career in Audit (Hint: It Wasn’t Passion)
When I joined Deloitte and started my career in audit, it wasn’t because I had a lifelong dream of becoming an auditor.
It was about stability.
Or, as I like to joke, the “sex appeal” of a safe, respectable profession—especially if you’re trying to impress Indian parents who value:
Reliability
Dependability
Predictable career paths
The audit checked all the right boxes.
Marketing?
Not so much.
The Reality of Day One: Expectations vs Experience
Like many new professionals, I had certain expectations about what life in audit would look like: interesting clients, exciting travel, maybe even a bit of glamour.
Instead, my very first assignment sent me to High Level, Alberta.
If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone.
It was remote, cold, and a long way from the vision I had in my head.
Then came my first task:
Rolling over a prior-year audit file.
Sounds simple until you’ve never done it before, no one explains how, and you’re expected to figure it out on your own.
That moment captures something important about agility:
It’s built in unfamiliar situations
It’s tested when guidance is minimal
It shows up before confidence does
Cultural Expectations and Career Pressure
At one point, I seriously considered leaving audit for marketing.
That idea didn’t land well.
In fact, one of the most memorable moments came when my girlfriend’s father answered a phone call and made it very clear that marketing was not an acceptable career move.
It was awkward.
It was funny.
And it was revealing.
Career decisions are rarely made in isolation. Cultural norms, family expectations, and social pressure quietly shape the paths people choose and the ones they avoid.
Organizations often underestimate how powerful those forces can be.
How Agility Slowly Disappears
Here’s the irony:
As professionals gain experience, many become less agile, not more.
Why?
We get comfortable with routines
We rely on proven playbooks
We stop questioning assumptions
We optimize for efficiency over adaptability
The very systems designed to make us effective can slowly make us rigid.
Agility doesn’t disappear overnight; it fades when it’s no longer practiced intentionally.
Why Agility Is No Longer Enough
In today’s environment, disruption isn’t occasional, it's continuous.
Technology is reshaping:
How audits are performed
What stakeholders expect
The skills professionals must develop
Agility helps you respond to change.
But thriving in disruption requires more than reaction.
It requires:
Digital fluency
Strategic thinking
Comfort with ambiguity
A commitment to continuous reinvention
The future auditor won’t just adapt to change.
They’ll anticipate it, shape it, and lead through it.
The Question Every Auditor Should Be Asking
The real question isn’t:
“Am I agile?”
It’s:
“What capabilities am I building now beyond agility to stay relevant in the future?”
Because in an age of disruption, standing still even efficiently is the fastest way to fall behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does agility mean?
Agility in a career means the ability to learn, adapt, and respond to change quickly. Agile professionals adjust their skills, mindset, and approach as industries evolve, instead of relying only on fixed roles or past experience.
Q2. What is the difference between experience and adaptability?
Experience is knowledge gained over time, while adaptability is the ability to adjust when things change. Experience without adaptability can lead to rigidity, whereas adaptable professionals can apply experience in new and evolving situations.
Q3. What are the 3 C’s of Agile?
The 3 C’s of Agile are Collaboration, Communication, and Coordination. Collaboration ensures teams work together toward shared goals. Communication keeps everyone aligned through clear and regular updates. Coordination helps manage tasks and dependencies so work flows smoothly and projects adapt quickly to change.
Q4. Why is agility alone no longer enough for auditors?
Agility helps auditors adjust to change, but today’s audit work is more complex. Auditors also need digital skills, technology knowledge, and strategic thinking. Without these skills, being agile alone is not enough to handle new risks, tools, and expectations.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.