What skill set is crucial for an internal auditor in identifying risks?

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of effective communication and analytical skills for an internal auditor. These skills are essential in identifying risks because an internal auditor must be able to interpret and analyze data accurately to uncover potential financial discrepancies or operational weaknesses.

Analytical skills allow auditors to evaluate complex information, recognize patterns, and make informed judgments about the financial health of an organization and its risk exposure. Furthermore, effective communication is vital for an internal auditor to convey findings clearly to various stakeholders, including management and the board of directors. An auditor must articulate risks and recommendations so that they can be understood and acted upon by non-technical stakeholders.

While other skills, such as financial analysis and technical IT skills, can support an auditor's work, they do not encompass the full scope needed for effective risk identification. Financial analysis alone provides only a narrow focus, and technical IT skills are crucial in today's digital landscape, but without strong analytical thinking and communication, identifying and addressing risks effectively would be significantly hampered. Customer service skills, while valuable in client-facing roles, are not directly relevant to the primary functions of an internal auditor tasked with assessing risks.