The Empowered Audit & Risk Maturity Model
The Empowered Audit Maturity Model is a research-backed framework for evaluating organizational maturity across audit, risk, and compliance. It synthesizes established industry standards into a practical, five-level benchmarking instrument.
How the Model Works
The assessment evaluates twelve diagnostic questions — four each across audit, risk, and compliance. Each question presents maturity-tiered statements, and respondents select all that apply. Scoring reflects the highest maturity tier selected, capturing both the breadth and depth of established practices.
Category scores are averaged into an overall maturity score on a 1–5 scale, which maps to one of five maturity levels. Results are benchmarked against industry-specific averages, peer benchmarks, and top-quartile performance drawn from published research and Empowered's engagement experience across hundreds of organizations.
Three Assessment Domains
Audit
Coverage of the audit lifecycle — planning, risk-based scoping, fieldwork, workpaper management, findings tracking, and executive reporting.
Risk Management
Identification, assessment, treatment, and monitoring of enterprise and operational risks, including appetite and tolerance frameworks.
Compliance
Obligation mapping, controls design and testing, evidence collection, and regulatory change management across applicable frameworks.
The Five Maturity Levels
Ad Hoc
1.0 – 1.9Audit, risk, and compliance activities are reactive and undocumented. Outcomes depend on individual heroics rather than repeatable processes. There is little visibility into risk exposure or control effectiveness.
Structured
2.0 – 2.9Core processes are defined and documented, but largely manual and siloed. Annual audit plans exist, risks are periodically reviewed, and compliance is tracked in spreadsheets. Execution is inconsistent across teams.
Institutional
3.0 – 3.9A standardized GRC framework is in place and consistently followed. Audit plans are risk-based, issues are tracked centrally, and compliance obligations are managed through a formal register. Reporting is dashboard-driven but not yet real-time.
Benchmarked
4.0 – 4.4GRC processes are integrated, data-driven, and benchmarked against industry peers. Continuous monitoring is in place, risk appetite is actively managed against metrics, and compliance activities are reused across frameworks. Leadership has real-time visibility.
Optimized
4.5 – 5.0Audit, risk, and compliance operate as a fully integrated, intelligent system. AI augments execution, predictive analytics surface emerging risks before they materialize, and controls are continuously self-validated. GRC drives strategic value at the board level.
Grounded in Industry Standards
The model's diagnostic questions and maturity tiers are aligned with widely recognized frameworks and professional standards, ensuring results are comparable to industry benchmarks and relevant to regulatory expectations.
COSO ERM
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
Enterprise Risk Management framework
ISO 31000
International Organization for Standardization
Risk management principles & guidelines
IIA Standards
Institute of Internal Auditors
Internal audit professional practice
ISO 19600 / 37301
International Organization for Standardization
Compliance management systems
NIST RMF
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Risk management framework
SOX / SOC 2
PCAOB / AICPA
Financial & operational controls
Benchmark Data Sources
Industry benchmark figures are drawn from published research by professional bodies, regulatory authorities, and industry analysts, supplemented by Empowered's aggregate engagement data across hundreds of audit, risk, and compliance programs. Benchmarks are segmented by industry and organizational size to provide relevant peer comparison.
Benchmark values are indicative averages intended for directional guidance, not precise measurement. Individual organizational context should inform interpretation of results.
Benchmark Your Organization
Complete the assessment to receive a personalized executive report with your maturity score, benchmark comparison, and tailored recommendations.
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