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Description

Internal Audit in Practice: Planning, Conducting and Reporting an Assignment

Run an internal audit assignment from the engagement letter through to recommendation follow-up

  • 3 days — 21 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

A poorly scoped internal audit assignment shows its weaknesses quickly: the scope widens along the way, interviews feel like interrogations, findings are challenged in the closing meeting and the report ends up filed away with no action plan.

Three days to run a complete assignment on a single process, from scoping through to recommendation follow-up. Interviews are simulated and findings rewritten until the wording is accepted by the auditee.

Learning objectives

  • Position internal audit in relation to other control functions
  • Scope an assignment and build its work programme
  • Conduct interviews and fieldwork testing
  • Write substantiated findings and workable recommendations
  • Organise the follow-up of action plans arising from the assignment

What makes this programme different

A complete assignment is run from scoping to follow-up on a single process
Audit interviews are simulated and then reviewed against an interview conduct grid
Participants leave with a work programme template and a findings sheet template

Programme

1Positioning the Internal Audit Function

Placing the function within the control framework

  • Distinguish internal audit from internal control and management control
  • Clarify the reporting line and independence of the function
  • Build a risk-based audit plan
  • Prepare the relationship with auditees

2Preparing the Assignment

Scoping before entering the field

  • Draft the engagement letter and set the scope
  • Analyse the risks of the audited process
  • Build the reference framework and the work programme
  • Organise the assignment schedule and logistics

3Fieldwork

Gathering facts rather than opinions

  • Conduct an audit interview and probe for precise answers
  • Describe a process and identify its control points
  • Select tests and build samples
  • Document working papers and the evidence collected

4Findings and Recommendations

Writing what will be read and acted upon

  • Structure a finding with its causes and consequences
  • Rank findings according to risk level
  • Write a workable and measurable recommendation
  • Validate findings with auditees

5Reporting and Follow-Up of Recommendations

Bringing the assignment to a conclusion

  • Draft the executive summary for senior management
  • Present the report in the closing meeting
  • Secure an action plan with owners and deadlines
  • Organise the follow-up of recommendation implementation

Who is it for

Newly appointed internal auditors · internal control officers · quality managers and staff expected to take part in audit assignments.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.