Effective Techniques for Successful Risk-Based Audits

This one-day training class helps auditors to become more efficient in their audit work and more effective in gaining agreement from audit clients. Using a risk-based audit approach, the class is part-audit methodology, part-project management and part-communication skills – all combined to help auditors streamline their audits and, eventually, the reporting process.

Objectives:

  • Understand key steps for performing a successful audit using a risk-based audit approach
  • Identify which information should be communicated at which phase of the audit and why
  • Learn how to avoid surprises and disagreements at the audit reporting phase

Topics covered:

  • Obtaining audit client buy-in during the planning phase: establishing risks, controls and the audit program (using a risk/control matrix)
  • Getting audit client input throughout the fieldwork phase: reviewing the facts of the findings and relating them back to the risk/control matrix
  • Gaining agreement with the audit client on the management action plans: closing out the list of findings and actions with the audit client
  • Identifying the information necessary for the draft report (findings and executive summary): focusing on your key audience of senior and executive management

The class will include practical examples, full group discussions and small group exercises. The training class itself and all materials will be provided in English.

Who should attend:

New internal auditors, new audit managers and supervisors, or internal auditors just starting to use a risk-based approach

Your facilitator:

Kelly Hogan, CIA, CISA, DiSC® Certified Trainer

Kelly Hogan’s experience includes over 25 years providing advice on techniques for risk management, control assessment and improvement, and written and oral communication. After a short time as a bank examiner, her career as an auditor started with financial and operational audits at the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. She later moved to MasterCard International where she performed application audits, then managed a team of operational and IT auditors. After moving to Belgium for MasterCard, Mrs. Hogan served as the head of audit for its European subsidiary for five years. She now focuses on training for internal auditors, but has also been involved in due diligence projects, control self-assessment workshops and external quality assurance reviews.

Since October 2006, Mrs. Hogan has been providing consulting and training worldwide, primarily for internal auditors and internal audit departments of major multi-national organisations. She regularly leads workshops and gives presentations to small and large groups that include participants from the private and public sectors as well as from different cultures and backgrounds. She also volunteers for her local chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors in Belgium.