Fundamentals of Internal Auditing

Internal Audit

Overview

In this instructor-led course, participants will learn traditional and operational auditing concepts, gaining proven tools and techniques for performing effective audits. This course provides insights for conducting internal audits effectively from the initial risk assessment through planning, fieldwork, and reporting. It covers key techniques like flowcharting, preparing risk-control matrices, documenting issues, and writing narratives.

Why you should take this course

For users who are new to internal auditing, or would like to learn more about it.

Here are the topics we'll cover.

  1. Key Concepts of Internal Auditing

    • Definition of Internal Audit
    • Fundamental Questions of Internal Audit
    • Three Lines Model
    • Lifecycle/Steps in the Internal Audit Process
    • Identifying Areas to be Audited
    • Types of Internal Audits
    • Internal Control Frameworks
  2. Risk Assessment

    • What is Risk Anyway?
    • Effects of Risk
    • What is Risk Assessment?
    • Different Levels of Risk Assessment
    • Key Questions in Risk Assessment
    • Balance Between Risk and Control
    • Types of Risks
    • Risk Factors
    • Risk Assessment Approaches
  3. Audit Project Planning

    • Audit as a Project
    • Planning Risks, Stages, Strategies
    • Planning Resources and Key Questions
    • Stakeholder Awareness
    • Preliminary Meetings
    • Early Deliverables
    • Governance
  4. Documenting Internal Controls

    • Evaluating and Documenting Internal Controls
    • Cost/Benefit Considerations
    • Types of Controls
    • The Control Environment
    • Barriers/Blocks to Effective Control
    • Methods of Documenting Controls
  5. Audit Programs

    • Audit Programs as a Guide and Fence
    • Audit Program Examples
    • Criteria for Audit Programs
    • Audit Objectives
    • Audit Scope
    • Audit Test Steps
  6. Fieldwork Techniques

    • Definitions Related to Evidence
    • Nine Fieldwork Techniques
    • Reliability of Audit Evidence
    • Types of Audit Evidence
    • Handling Sensitive Evidence
  7. Verbal Communications

    • Communication Overview
    • Active Listening
    • Audit Interviews and Walkthroughs
    • Purpose, Preparation, and Planning
    • Interview Structure: Five Phases
    • Phrasing Questions: Five Factors
    • Question Types
    • Probing Skills and Questions
    • Creating a Work Product From Notes
  8. Workpapers

    • Purpose of Workpapers
    • Workpapers’ Completeness and Accuracy
    • Workpapers Should Stand Alone
    • Electronic Workpapers
    • Tickmarks
    • Quality Assurance and Improvement Program
  9. Audit Findings

    • Attributes of Audit Findings
    • Selling Audit Findings
    • Communicating Findings
  10. Written Communications

    • Quality of Communications
    • Why do Auditors Write Reports?
    • Typical Audit Report Contents
    • Issuing Timely Reports
    • Issuing Persuasive Reports
    • Audit Report Trends
    • Who are Your Readers?
    • Overview of the Writing Process
    • Readability
    • Editing
  11. Audit Sampling

    • Sampling Terminology
    • Sampling Methodologies
    • Statistical vs. Non-Statistical Sampling
    • Data Analytics
    • Challenges Implementing Data Analytics
  12. Reflecting on Internal Audit’s Past and Looking Forward

    • The Past
    • The Future

Learning Style

Instructor Led

Level

Entry Level

Who this course is for

Internal and IT Auditors looking for a comprehensive understanding of the process of Internal Audit. This foundational course can be used to onboard rotational Internal Auditors and other experienced professionals starting their careers.

NASBA Certified CPE

24 credits

Field of Study

Auditing

Length of course

24h

Prerequisites

None

Advanced Preparation

None
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Here are the learning objectives we'll cover

  • List the benefits that risk based auditing can have.
  • Outline ways to focus auditing efforts on the key risks that threaten the achievement of business objectives.
  • Demonstrate that you are reflecting and prioritizing risk in audit reports and aligning them with enterprise risk.
  • List aspects of risk, threats and opportunities.

Attendance policy for on-site and online instructor-led training

Students are expected to arrive on time for classes with the proper materials and attitude. An overall attendance rate of 100% is expected to fully absorb the materials and to complete labs. If you have an expected absence, please email support@acilearning.com or your instructor ahead of time. The number of CPEs awarded will be equivalent to the number of hours attended.

ACI Learning is registered with NASBA

ACI Learning is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: https://www.nasbaregistry.org/