EFFECTIVE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION ASSESSMENT
Driving Audit Excellence, Compliance, and Strategic Value Across the Organization
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 – 18 Dec 2026 | London, UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
A strong internal audit function is vital for ensuring effective governance, risk management, and internal controls. However, to maintain its relevance and strategic contribution, the internal audit function itself must undergo regular and objective assessment.
This 5-day intensive course provides participants with the tools, frameworks, and methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness of internal audit functions in line with global standards such as the IIA’s International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF). Attendees will learn how to assess audit performance, compliance, alignment with organizational goals, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the structure, responsibilities, and success factors of internal audit functions
• Conduct assessments aligned with IIA Standards and best practices
• Evaluate audit strategy, independence, resource capability, and stakeholder engagement
• Identify performance gaps and develop actionable improvement plans
• Report findings and recommendations to senior leadership and audit committees
Key Benefits of Attending
• To ensure the internal audit function adds value and aligns with enterprise strategy
• To comply with mandatory quality assurance and improvement programs (QAIPs)
• To benchmark audit performance against global best practices
• To provide assurance to stakeholders on audit effectiveness and independence
• To develop a roadmap for enhancing audit coverage, capabilities, and impact
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• Chief audit executives and internal audit managers
• Audit team leads and senior auditors
• Risk and compliance officers
• Quality assurance and corporate governance professionals
• Board members and audit committee stakeholders
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• Internal audit evaluation techniques
• Understanding of IIA standards and QAIP methodology
• Benchmarking audit maturity and effectiveness
• Strategic reporting and communication with governance bodies
• Identifying and implementing audit process improvements
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• Strengthened assurance to board and senior management
• Increased audit efficiency, quality, and relevance
• Enhanced transparency and stakeholder trust
• Improved risk-based audit planning and delivery
• Greater alignment between audit strategy and business goals
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Strategy Briefings: Internal audit roles, standards, and maturity frameworks
• Case Studies: Peer reviews, QAIP results, and function assessments
• Workshops: Audit self-assessment tools, gap analysis, and improvement planning
• Peer Exchange: Group discussions on audit challenges and performance trends
• Tools: Assessment checklists, performance metrics templates, stakeholder survey samples
Course Outline
Detailed 5-Day Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Internal Audit Fundamentals and Global Standards
- Module 1: The Role and Responsibilities of Internal Audit (07:30 – 09:30)
• Mission of internal audit, independence, and governance alignment - Module 2: Overview of IIA’s IPPF and Standards (09:45 – 11:15)
• Mandatory guidance, attributes, and performance standards - Module 3: Workshop – Mapping the Audit Function Against IIA Standards (11:30 – 01:00)
• Understanding compliance requirements - Module 4: Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) (02:00 – 03:30)
• Components and expectations under IIA guidelines
Day 2: Designing and Conducting an Assessment
- Module 5: Planning the Internal Audit Function Assessment (07:30 – 09:30)
• Scope, criteria, tools, and stakeholder involvement - Module 6: Data Gathering Methods – Interviews, Surveys, and File Reviews (09:45 – 11:15)
• Gathering and validating evidence of audit performance - Module 7: Workshop – Designing an Audit Effectiveness Survey (11:30 – 01:00)
• Questions for board, management, and audit staff - Module 8: Evaluating Independence and Objectivity (02:00 – 03:30)
• Reporting lines, functional independence, and conflicts of interest
Day 3: Performance, Strategy, and Stakeholder Value
- Module 9: Audit Planning and Risk Coverage Evaluation (07:30 – 09:30)
• Risk-based audit plans and alignment with enterprise risk - Module 10: Assessing Audit Competence and Resources (09:45 – 11:15)
• Team skills, capacity, and technology adoption - Module 11: Workshop – Benchmarking Audit Maturity (11:30 – 01:00)
• Using maturity models and performance indicators - Module 12: Value Creation and Stakeholder Feedback (02:00 – 03:30)
• Demonstrating value beyond compliance
Day 4: Reporting Results and Planning Improvements
- Module 13: Developing an Assessment Report (07:30 – 09:30)
• Structure, ratings, findings, and executive summaries - Module 14: Communicating with Senior Leadership and Audit Committees (09:45 – 11:15)
• Framing key messages and follow-up actions - Module 15: Workshop – Presenting Assessment Results (11:30 – 01:00)
• Role-play: delivering results to the board - Module 16: Crafting an Internal Audit Improvement Roadmap (02:00 – 03:30)
• Prioritizing improvements and assigning accountability
Day 5: Peer Reviews, External Assessments, and Integration
- Module 17: Conducting Peer Reviews and External Assessments (07:30 – 09:30)
• Engagement process, confidentiality, and independence - Module 18: Lessons Learned from Global Internal Audit Reviews (09:45 – 11:15)
• Best practices and common gaps in audit functions - Module 19: Workshop – Self-Assessment Action Plan (11:30 – 01:00)
• Drafting a QAIP and next steps for internal use - Module 20: Final Wrap-Up and Certification (02:00 – 03:30)
• Participant presentations, feedback, and course conclusion
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Effective Internal Audit Function Assessment, validating their capability to evaluate, improve, and strategically position internal audit functions in alignment with global standards and enterprise priorities.