Chris Harris (CPFA)

Chris has worked in Internal Audit Management for over 40 years specialising in Local Government and the Blue Light sector. Chris has been one of TIAA’s Directors of Audit since 2011 and has been instrumental in growing our client base in Local Government.

Chris is highly respected by clients for his help in improving their risk management and assurance arrangements, using his current and previous expertise,  including ten years spent as a partner in a firm of accountants managing some of the largest internal audit contracts in the country and his experience as a Chief Internal Auditor in a large City Council.

Leading and supporting a team of highly skilled specialists, Chris consistently delivers to his portfolio of clients. As Secretary to the London Internal Audit Group, Chris provides regular seminars and training to the Local Government sector and shares best practice.

Career Highlights

• Having considerable experience in risk management Chris provides training workshops to all public sector clients, ranging from a basic understanding of risk through to assisting with determining risk appetite and the preparation of Board Assurance Frameworks.
• Assisted an Authority in identifying and analysing the cost and delay in producing their Local Plan. As a result, detailed procedures were put in place and a financial reserve created to fund future Local Plan developments.
• Following a governance review of a major project Chris identified a lack of reporting and limitations within the Governance arrangements which could have resulted in significant financial and reputational risk. Chris worked with the client to improve the controls in place and the project was subsequently completed on time and within budget.
• During a review of the complaints process at a local authority, Chris identified there was an exponential increase in the cost of managing complaints. Supporting the team to improve the process to identify and address the root cause resulted in a smarter process and significantly reduced costs for the department.