Introduction to Auditing Fintech
Global Guidance | Global Practice Guide (GPG) | Recommended | Issued and Effective | October 22, 2026
As financial technology (fintech) continues to transform financial services, internal auditors need the knowledge and tools to address emerging risks and evolving business models. “Introduction to Auditing Fintech” provides an overview of the fintech ecosystem and leading practices for planning and performing fintech audits.
The guide explores critical areas including governance, risk management, Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), AI, cybersecurity, digital platforms, third-party risk management, regulatory compliance, data governance, and model governance.
Designed for internal auditors in both fintech organizations and traditional financial institutions adopting fintech solutions, this guidance helps practitioners apply a risk-based approach, strengthen assurance activities, evaluate controls, and support responsible innovation while protecting stakeholder trust.
After reading this guidance, internal auditors will be able to:
- Understand the fintech ecosystem and common fintech operating models.
- Identify key fintech risks across governance, operations, compliance, and technology.
- Assess Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and bank-fintech partnership risks.
- Evaluate third-party risk management and accountability arrangements.
- Audit AI-enabled processes and model governance practices.
- Review cybersecurity and information security controls supporting fintech activities.
- Assess data governance, data quality, and access-to-data challenges.
- Apply risk-based audit planning to fintech environments.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of fintech control frameworks.
- Understand how to manage regulatory considerations affecting the use of fintech.
- Identify risks associated with digital platforms, payments, lending, and blockchain activities.
- Develop audit procedures tailored to different fintech business models.
- Support organizational resilience, compliance, and stakeholder trust through effective assurance.
Tool to use with this practice guide
Example Fintech Risk and Control Matrix