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Michael Brown, Internal Audit

Guide dog foster parent, father of two, and globe-trotting Kingston native, Mike Brown takes us on a journey through the varied world of Internal Audit.

Mike is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a business consultant who assists many different units across campus with both compliance and efficiency.

Please tell us about your role at Queen’s.

I am the Manager, Internal Controls & Special Projects within Internal Audit. I have been in this role since January 2022, but I have been with Queen’s and Internal Audit since 2011My role is two-fold: part of my job is to assist the VPFA to independently review the operations of the internal controls in place to make sure university’s assets are safeguarded, financial information is accurate, and transactions comply with laws and regulations; whereas the other part of my job involves helping units across campus to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. These projects are usually requests from the business units that involve some collaboration between me and the units in areas they most need help with. Units reach out to me and say, “Mike, we need some help with making sure we’re compliant with this, or we’re looking at this process to make sure it’s efficient

The Internal Audit department develops an annual work plan that is approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board of Trustees. Both the internal controls and the special projects part of my job are included in this annual work plan.  Any requests from management throughout the year are added to this work plan.  It is a risk-based plan that supports the allocation of audit resources to those areas that represent the most significant priorities for the university. We are directed to areas to ensure compliance with processes.

What do you enjoy the most about your role?

I enjoy both parts of my role. Any operational or compliance assistance you need, I’m always here for a chat. The special projects part keeps my day interesting because I am assisting people and departments who have come to me for help in achieving their objectives. I get to meet people from various units across campus. Projects usually take three-four months each, so every new project means working with a different group of people, totally new processes, departments, and environments. I am constantly learning new things about the university. Off the top of my head, I can say I have worked with every single unit at the university – from AMS, Financial Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Housing and Ancillary Services, IT Services,  Library, Archives, Privacy, Geography, the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), I-EDIAA projects, plus a lot more – I get to look at almost anything you need me to look at and the varied work makes my role interesting and fun.

What project have you recently been involved with that you’re most proud of?

I just released a report to the Library on the process by which Queen’s processes article processing charges – a tongue-twister, I know. This is about scholarly publishing - to help the Library and Research track their spending. My project with them enabled them to start monitoring, tracking, and implementing procedures so they could have a fully managed scholarly publishing process.

What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned throughout your career?

The biggest lesson I have learned is about honesty and transparency – everything is easier when you just lay your cards on the table. Playing things close to the vest doesn’t breed partnership or communication or engagement. So, I’ve always been really honest whilst also being careful to listen to the other party, and I’ve developed this skill more as I went on in my career. If you make a mistake, say you’ve made a mistake. I explain my entire process, so people are not wondering why I’m asking questions or what I’m looking at. It has been really helpful in my job to develop and maintain relationships, and it has always ensured a great end result.

What is one skill you’d love to learn?

After graduating with my Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Accounting (honors), I gained a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation.

I would also like to take a business writing course – I think that is a useful skill to have, in any role.

Personally, I would love to learn to draw and play the guitar. I’ve been saying that I’ve wanted to learn those for the past  30 years, and I haven’t started on either, maybe this year will be the year

Please tell us about your journey to foster guide-dogs-in-training.

During the pandemic, my family and I started fostering dogs. Our Miniature Pinscher passed away in 2019, and we really wanted to bring dogs back into our home. When we heard that the Kingston Humane Society needed foster families, we thought this was a great opportunity. Many of the dogs needed a lot of care and some hadn’t been domesticated yet. We provided post-operative care to dogs who had just been spayed or neutered. My wife, our two teenagers, and I shared the tasks. My wife and I trained as a for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) guide dogs, which assist people who are blind or partially sighted. We have cared for five guide dogs so far. It’s a great way to begin your dog ownership journey whilst also giving back to the community.

We have heard that you and your family enjoy traveling. Please tell us about your most memorable travels.

Yes, we are definitely big travelers. In 2016, we took off for eight months and traveled around the world when our kids were 9 and 11, and we try to go somewhere new every year.

For that round-the-world trip, we created a travel webpage to keep our friends and family updated so they could follow us on our journeys. We circumnavigated the globe starting in Costa Rica. We then flew up to California where we boarded a cruise ship, and crossed the Pacific Ocean for all of February, stopping in Hawaii. Then on to a few nights in New Zealand, four weeks in Australia, six weeks in Asia, and went from Bangkok to Germany. We then spent the summer in Europe, and back home – 20 countries altogether.

We are now planning for Iceland next.

For those with young children, my tip is to wait until they’re about 9 or 10, that’s the perfect age because they’re old enough to walk around, carry their own bags, and explore with you, no nap times. At that age, they aren’t old enough to not want to hang out with you.

If you had to describe Queen’s in one word to a new employee, what would it be and why?

Community.

Queen’s is like a little city with different neighbourhoods that have all come together for a greater goal.

What makes it even more special for me is the fact that every single person in my family (except me) has attended Queen’s – my wife, all of my siblings, my siblings’ in-laws, my parents, my nephews and nieces, and now my son.

Books:

by Robin Wall Kimmerer

- Suggested by Nicki Mundell, Strategic Procurement Services (SPS) e-procurement 

Genre: Non-fiction

Robin eloquently explores the intersection of Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and environmental stewardship. Through a series of essays, Robin, a Native American botanist, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, weaves together her personal experiences, Indigenous teachings, and ecological insights to offer a unique perspective on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and the need for environmental conservation.

by Kazuo Ishiguro

- Suggested by Brian O'Neill, Investment Services

Genre: Fiction

Set in a future world where artificial intelligence (AI) technology is deeply integrated into society, Klara and the Sun explores the complex relationships between humans and their AI companions. The story is narrated by Klara, an AI robot with remarkable observational skills, who is designed to provide companionship to a young girl named Josie. Klara's unwavering devotion to Josie is at the heart of the narrative, and as the story unfolds, it raises questions about the nature of consciousness, the longing for connection, and the ethical implications of creating beings that mimic human emotions.

by Richard Rhodes

- Suggested by Andy Green, Strategic Procurement Services

Genre: Non-fiction

Edward Osborne Wilson, a gifted biologist, naturalist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and communicator, possessed a unique talent for simplifying complex ideas for the general public. This biography chronicles the life journey of a young boy who developed a passion for ants, igniting a remarkable and influential career marked by groundbreaking contributions to biodiversity. Wilson overcame numerous personal challenges and professional obstacles, navigating a fiercely competitive environment, ultimately discovering his strength in collaborating with unlikely individuals. Despite his deep philosophical and critical thinking, Wilson remained accessible and understandable to a diverse audience, leaving a lasting impression with his humility and unwavering commitment to his field. Spoiler alert: the book's most inspiring aspect is how Ed won over a long-time foe and fellow competitor James Watson (Nobel prize winner and co-discoverer of the DNA double helix).  This biography is witty, intriguing, masterfully written and a fitting farewell to a brilliant scientist. 

Douglas Library

Work on Douglas Library’s southern half was completed in 1923-24, making it Queen’s oldest library. The northern half was added in 1966. Named after Chancellor James Douglas, this historic landmark is faced with both Kingston and Queenston limestone. Over its extensive history, the Library has fulfilled various roles. For instance, prior to the construction of Richardson Hall in 1954, it housed the offices of the Principal and other senior officials. In 1999, a fresh addition was introduced to the library in the form of the .

This dedicated segment of the Library serves as a hub for research and education, catering to ����ֱ�� students and faculty, as well as the broader community. Within this esteemed section, you'll find a treasure trove of rare books, maps, and the remarkable collection. Rare Books and Special Collections welcomes enthusiasts from various fields, encompassing astronomy, natural history, classics, modern languages, literature, politics, and history.