Workiva Inc. has introduced the next generation of its Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platform, unveiling the new capabilities at the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Great Audit Minds conference in Las Vegas. The announcement highlights Workiva’s vision for a more connected and intelligent approach to managing financial reporting, compliance, risk oversight, and audit workflows. As regulatory requirements grow more complex and organizations face increasing pressure around AI governance and real-time assurance, companies are rapidly shifting toward integrated platforms that can provide greater transparency and operational efficiency.

Today, many organizations still rely on fragmented point solutions to manage governance and compliance processes. However, this approach often leads to data silos, limited visibility, and inefficient collaboration across teams. Recognizing this challenge, Workiva developed its next-generation GRC platform to unify finance, audit, and risk functions within a single connected environment. Consequently, organizations can streamline data management, automate workflows, and gain real-time insights into emerging risks.

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According to industry data, nearly 80% of business leaders are now prioritizing data automation and governance as a strategic priority. Companies such as Braze, Patrick Industries, and StoneX are already leveraging the Workiva platform to centralize data, simplify collaboration, and respond more effectively to evolving regulatory and operational risks. By connecting critical business data across departments, Workiva aims to help organizations improve decision-making and strengthen accountability.

“Visionary CFOs are looking beyond incremental efficiency to a future where automation eliminates manual audit work entirely. Our customers are driving toward zero human-initiated tasks, expanding their capacity for real-time insights and proactive guidance,” said Junko Swain, SVP and Chief Accounting Officer, Workiva. “Business leaders are navigating historic uncertainty as technology advancements and an endless stream of data expose the limits of standalone tools. Connecting finance, audit, and risk on a single intelligent platform is the foundation for a future where AI fundamentally transforms how assurance work gets done.”

As internal audit teams adopt the Institute of Internal Auditors’ updated Global Internal Audit Standards, Workiva is providing new tools designed to operationalize these standards at scale. By embedding governance, risk, and compliance capabilities into a platform that also supports financial reporting, sustainability disclosures, and regulatory filings, Workiva eliminates many of the inefficiencies associated with disconnected systems. This integrated approach creates a transparent chain of trust that links original data sources directly to final reports and disclosures.

A central component of the new platform is its AI-powered assurance engine. Through advanced controls management dashboards, organizations can monitor the health of internal controls and identify potential risks in real time. Instead of reacting to historical findings, finance and audit leaders can now anticipate threats and act proactively.

Workiva also aims to elevate the role of internal audit teams within organizations. Using AI-driven workflows, prebuilt frameworks, and automated testing capabilities within its Audit Management solution, internal auditors can focus less on manual compliance tasks and more on strategic advisory roles. As a result, even lean audit teams can deliver greater value without increasing headcount.

In addition, Workiva’s Risk Management solution provides a broader enterprise view of potential threats. Connected intelligence across departments enables organizations to detect systemic risks earlier and use AI-generated insights to support strategic decision-making and resilience planning.

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Industry leaders have also shared perspectives on the evolving role of AI and data integration in compliance and risk management.

Bradley Niedzielski, Audit & Assurance Partner and Business Controls Advisory Leader at Deloitte & Touche LLP, noted: “As AI adoption accelerates, compliance teams across the organization are adapting their approaches to better anticipate risk and support informed decision-making for the CFO and the board – often requiring both the right skillsets and the right tools. While most compliance teams already bring strong critical thinking capabilities, Workiva helps connect enterprise data to provide timely insights. Deloitte is thrilled to work with Workiva to support compliance functions as they continue evolving their operating models to meet the fast-paced risk demands of today’s business landscape.”

Other industry executives also highlighted the broader strategic impact of AI-driven governance platforms.

Brian Savoy, CFO of Duke Energy, stated: “AI drives efficiency, but its greater potential is enabling our people to extract insights that inform high-impact decisions.”

Alexander Davis, Deputy CFO at Pie Insurance, added: “If your organization is all-in on AI and you’re not all-in on data, you might have a problem.”

Jonathan Ruf, Deputy CISO at Apple Bank, emphasized operational benefits: “The integration capabilities of the Workiva platform have reduced human error and allowed our teams to work together seamlessly. We can now report more effectively, providing our executive and board-level management with clear insights into risk assessments.”

Arvin Floresca, Vice President of Internal Audit at Claritev, also highlighted the platform’s adaptability: “Workiva is excellent at staying ahead of regulatory changes. The platform grows with us, allowing us to scale and adapt as our business evolves.”

Overall, Workiva’s next-generation GRC platform reflects a growing industry shift toward AI-powered governance infrastructure. As businesses face increasing regulatory scrutiny, expanding data volumes, and evolving cyber risks, integrated platforms that combine automation, analytics, and collaboration will become essential tools for building organizational resilience and maintaining stakeholder trust.

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