PwC US has launched a joint business relationship with enterprise-wide governance, risk and compliance product maker MetricStream Inc. designed to improve companies’ collective enterprise and IT risk management and risk-based decisions.

PwC’ Risk Assurance Services practice develops risk and compliance programs, performing audits and creating internal controls processes around business performance issues, IT systems as well as strategy and contingency planning.

MetricStream’s GRC products provide risk intelligence by integrating internal audit, Sarbanes-Oxley, regulatory compliance, quality management, security, and IT GRC initiatives through operational and enterprise risk management.  As part of this process, the systems also aggregate risk and compliance information across the enterprise, spanning business processes, IT applications and security infrastructure.

“With growing demand for greater transparency and efficiency, it is critical for companies to employ integrated GRC initiatives to ensure productivity and alignment with overall business processes,” said Joe DeVita, a partner with PwC’s Risk Assurance Services practice. “By teaming with MetricStream, a company that is highly-regarded by analysts and customers, we are adding the capabilities of a best-in-breed, off-the-shelf GRC solution provider with robust functionality to complement our risk assurance capabilities, providing added value for clients.”