Introduction and background
Founded in 1930, Secil Group has evolved into a prominent force in the cement industry, with a footprint that now spans Portugal, Lebanon, Angola, Cape Verde, Spain, The Netherlands, Tunisia, and Brazil. The company’s growth is rooted in a commitment to innovation and a practical, hands-on approach to customer support and technical problem-solving. The internal audit function, led by Teresa Costa, covers a diverse range of businesses—from cement to other construction materials—making the audit team’s scope both broad and complex. This diversity, coupled with Secil Group’s international presence, brings unique challenges and rewards to the audit process.
Meet the trailblazer
Since joining Secil Group in 2006, Teresa Costa has been instrumental in establishing the internal audit area from scratch. Her prior experience at Volkswagen Group in Portugal and Germany, where she led internal controls, provided a foundation for building robust audit practices. The transition to TeamMate Audit marked a significant leap forward, enabling the team to move beyond manual processes and embrace digital transformation.
A lean team, a global footprint
Secil Group’s audit team is compact—four auditors based in Lisbon—but their reach is extensive. They cover the entire Secil Group, which operates in various businesses—mainly cement—but also other construction materials like mortars, concretes, and aggregate. They’re present in Portugal, Lebanon, Angola, Cape Verde, Spain, Tunisia, The Netherlands and Brazil. The team’s work is predominantly conducted onsite, as physical presence is often seen as adding meaningful value to the audit process. At the same time, remote auditing has become an increasingly attractive and effective approach—one the team successfully embraced during the pandemic and continues to leverage as a flexible, efficient alternative when appropriate.
Why TeamMate? The team’s choice
TeamMate Audit was chosen through a collective review process, driven by the team’s meaningful involvement in assessing different possibilities. Factors such as cost-effectiveness, positive feedback from other companies, and responsive support from the TeamMate team influenced the choice. The team’s enthusiasm and leadership during implementation contributed to a smooth transition, and ongoing support has been characterized by fast, collaborative problem-solving.
Audit planning methodology
Every year, the Secil Group audit team comes together to shape the annual audit plan—an essential foundation for meaningful insight and impact.
The process balances structure with flexibility, considering a significant number of auditable segments across entities, companies, and processes. Input from stakeholders and leadership helps ensure priorities reflect both methodology and real-world business needs.
Once the draft is ready, it’s presented to the executive committee for review and approval.
Risk remains a core criterion, complemented by an assessment of business performance, the business context and the control environment.
While TeamMate Audit supports the central methodology, the team still uses supplemental tools where needed—recognizing that transformation is ongoing. Looking ahead, they aim to bring even more of the process into TeamMate to support smoother, more impactful planning.
The power of TeamMate: Efficiency unleashed
The adoption of TeamMate Audit in 2022 was driven by a need to streamline time-consuming processes. Previously, quarterly follow-ups required the tracking of recommendations using Microsoft Excel, Access, and email — a process that could take several days. With TeamMate Audit, the team has reduced this workload to just one day, thanks to centralized data and more efficient review cycles. Auditors now release their work directly in the tool, allowing reviewers immediate access and enabling near real-time collaboration.
Audit trails: Stronger, smarter, simpler
Centralizing audit documentation in TeamMate Audit has strengthened the audit trail, reducing errors associated with manual data handling and copy-paste mistakes. The team can now track everything centrally, improving continuity and consistency, especially during quarterly follow-ups. The transition from general-purpose collaboration platforms to TeamMate has also enhanced the clarity and reliability of audit records.
Reporting, reimagined
Reporting has become more streamlined, with all relevant information housed within TeamMate Audit. During audits, findings and recommendations are reviewed and finalized in the tool, allowing reports to be generated directly from the solution. This integration simplifies the reporting process and ensures that revisions are efficient and well-documented.
Delivering value—and being heard
Secil Group’s audit team is recognized as a key contributor to organizational value, acting as the third line of defense. Their independent perspective is highly valued, and their insights drive meaningful change. Stakeholder surveys conducted after each audit consistently yield high satisfaction scores, reflecting the business’s preference for internal audits over outsourcing. The team’s experience across different countries and business units enhances their credibility and impact.
Advice for the future
For organizations considering TeamMate, Secil Group’s experience highlights the benefits of integrated information, reduced manual work, and improved communication. People often react differently to new tools and change, but the team found TeamMate Audit to be user-friendly and requires little assistance to get started. The tool has been particularly advantageous given the team’s large scope and diverse responsibilities. Looking ahead, the audit profession at Secil Group is expected to become increasingly technological, with digitalization and decarbonization shaping future priorities. However, foundational skills such as curiosity, critical thinking, and effective communication will remain essential for auditors, ensuring that they continue to add value in a rapidly changing environment.
Secil Group’s story is one of bold moves, smart tools, and a team that’s always ready for what’s next. That’s how you turn audit into a strategic advantage.
