In simple terms, how would you define Digital Audit and its importance in financial services today?
Think of Digital Audit as a smarter, faster way for funders to keep tabs on their financed assets. It’s a cloud-based platform with a mobile app that dealers use to perform audits themselves, cutting down the need for physical inspections, which can be really resource-heavy. That doesn’t mean we’re replacing audit teams; far from it, they can use the tool too. We’re just giving them the space to focus on the audits that really need their attention, like risk events or deeper investigations.
And when it comes to its importance? Digital audit isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore. It’s a “when,” not “if.”
What’s your role in the Digital Audit team, and what kind of work do you usually get involved in?
I’m the Product and Project Coordinator, which means I have a hand in quite a few things: from gathering requirements during client workshops to setting up their environments and even creating training materials.
One area I’m particularly proud of is our AVS (Automated Verification System). It validates audit photos using GPS metadata and smart image detection. It can flag images that have been tampered with, like a photo of a screen or a printed picture, and it’s constantly improving thanks to machine learning. We’re processing thousands of images a day, so this is a huge help for us and our clients.
Is there a specific issue you’ve helped solve that you’re particularly proud of?
Honestly, solving any problem feels good, but one example I’m really proud of is how we improved our reporting on rejected audit images. The volume we deal with is huge, we’re projecting over 2 million images to be processed by our AVS in 2025.
A client pointed out that a few important parameters were missing from the report they receive regularly. So, our Commercial Director and I took that feedback and completely revamped the report, not only did it help that client, but it gave us new ideas to share with others too.
It might seem like a small change, but those are the things that really make a difference for users, and often spark broader improvements. That’s why I’m proud of it.
If there were no limits, no budget, no time, no tech constraints… What’s one thing you’d love to build into SFP Digital Audit?
Great question! Right now, I’d say our upcoming Native App for Android and iOS is opening doors to some exciting possibilities. Once that’s in place, we’ll have a strong foundation to branch into other areas of asset verification, beyond just audits. So, while the wishlist is long, that new app is what gets me excited at the moment.
How do you prioritize product features when everything seems important?
That’s always tricky. Everyone has a different take, so we discuss as a team. Personally, I tend to push for the features that make the biggest difference to end-users, the ones that improve the experience for dealers and auditors directly. Coming from a support background, I know how frustrating it can be when something doesn’t work smoothly. So, I try to keep the user at the center of every decision.
How do you see AI changing the future of digital audits?
AI is going to be a game changer. We already detect anomalies, but with smarter AI, we could start predicting issues like flagging a potential default before it happens. That means banks could act sooner and avoid big risks.
Plus, AI can improve everything from data processing to insights and team workflow efficiencies. The future isn’t just about finding problems, it’s about preventing them. That’s where AI will take us.
Got any funny or surprising stories from your time on the product team?
Oh, definitely. We review a sample of audit images manually, and some of them are unexpected. I once saw a photo of a Jeep Wrangler with a skeleton Halloween prop sitting on the bumper, arms resting on the brushguard. We’ve also seen vehicles that are still in crates, or even a car with a tree growing through it. It’s the kind of stuff that gives you a good chuckle during a long day.
What’s a piece of wisdom that’s stuck with you throughout your career?
Some wise words I heard many years ago from my late godfather, Glenn Brightwell, still stick with me:
“Fast, Good, Cheap – pick two.”
I later learned this is known as the Iron Triangle of Constraints, and it’s proven true in every role I’ve held. It’s a helpful reminder that delivering a product or service always requires balance. And in the world of SaaS, it’s no different.
While clients often hope for all three, our approach on the SFP Digital Audit team is grounded in a simple principle: “Anything worth doing is worth doing right.” We’re building a future-proof product, not just a quick fix. That’s something we take a lot of pride in.
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