Founder of the Consulting Firm Audit Forward / Keynote Speaker
Elizabeth McDowell is passionate about advancing and advocating for the internal audit profession and was recognized as one of the 2023 Internal Audit Beacons. In addition to training and consulting, Elizabeth is an adjunct Professor of Accounting at Front Range Community College, where she brings real world audit experience into the classroom.
Elizabeth's motto is "Audit Smarter, not Harder" — a philosophy that reflects her belief that internal auditors can elevate their impact by leveraging the tools, insights, and capabilities they already possess.
She has over 20 years of audit experience and is the founder of Audit Forward, an innovative internal audit consulting and training firm. In addition to training and consulting, Elizabeth serves as a Non Executive Independent Director for an internal audit firm in the UK, contributing her expertise to governance and strategic oversight.
Elizabeth’s most recent industry experience was at Achieve, where she was Sr. Director, Audit Strategy; prior to that, she held internal audit leadership roles at Elevations Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, and Xcel Energy, after first starting her career at Ernst & Young. Her career reflects a consistent focus on strengthening audit functions, modernizing methodologies, and building high performing teams.
Across her leadership, consulting, and teaching roles, Elizabeth is widely regarded as a forward thinking advocate for modern internal auditing, helping professionals enhance their effectiveness through smarter approaches, practical innovation, and a strong commitment to elevating the profession.