James Kennedy sits down with Lindsay Webber (OmniPro) to unpack what modern audit really looks like – why it matters far beyond “ticking boxes,” and how audits help organisations (especially those handling public, donor, or regulated funds) prove compliance, protect reputation, and avoid nasty surprises. Lindsay shares her unusual “almost adopted by Pauly Shore” story from a small-town South African hardware store, her rapid rise to Senior Lecturer at Rhodes University at 24, and what she’s seeing now in the world of audit, regulation, and CPD for accountants.
About Lindsay Webber:
Lindsay Webber is a South African Chartered Accountant who trained with KPMG Johannesburg (financial services audits), lectured audit at Rhodes University, and later moved to Ireland where she worked in practice before joining OmniPro. Today, she supports accounting firms and finance professionals through CPD webinars, technical accounting/audit guidance, and practical resources – helping practitioners navigate complex standards, regulations, and real-world client scenarios.
What You’ll Learn:
- Who needs an audit (and why): Size thresholds, regulated entities, charities, and funding requirements and why some businesses choose audits voluntarily for confidence and credibility.
- What makes a great auditor: The blend of critical thinking, curiosity, attention to detail, and the ability to challenge information with a “does this make sense?” mindset.
- Real-world audit “curveballs”: How odd client situations (like a fish farm losing stock post year-end or pre-selling burial plots) become straightforward when you apply the right accounting lens.
- What happens when complaints arise: The role of professional institutes, the importance of audit evidence/documentation, and how auditors defend their work when challenged.
- ESG reporting reality check: Why early ESG requirements were so onerous, what the pushback revealed, and why better support + phased implementation matters.
Episode Highlights:
- “I was nearly in a movie… my mom tried to ‘sell’ me as fully potty trained.”
- “Audit isn’t boring – until you need one… then it becomes very interesting.”
- “The first EU ESG requirements asked companies to consider over a thousand data points.”
More About Lindsay’s Role:
At OmniPro, Lindsay focuses on the “tricky bits” accountants face: technical queries, audit and financial reporting challenges, legislative updates, and CPD training delivered through regular webinars (Ireland and the UK). She also supports practitioners with practical tools – like pro-forma financial statement templates updated for FRS 102 changes – so firms can stay current without reinventing the wheel.
