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Description

Audit Recommendations: Drafting, Substantiating and Securing Buy-In

Write recommendations that state what must be done and that the auditee can genuinely implement

  • 0.43 days — 3 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

A vague recommendation changes nothing: strengthen the control or raise team awareness says neither who acts nor what will be verified. Conversely, an overly prescriptive recommendation encroaches on management responsibility and meets a polite refusal.

These three hours focus on the drafting and negotiation of recommendations. They address the link between finding, root cause, consequence and recommendation, the acceptable level of ambition, and the conduct of the discussion with the auditee. Each participant rewrites their own recommendations and tests them against the group's feedback.

Learning objectives

  • Link every recommendation to a substantiated finding and its root cause
  • Express the issue in the auditee's own language and priorities
  • Calibrate the level of ambition without taking over management's role
  • Draft a recommendation that is actionable and verifiable
  • Conduct the closing discussion through to a formalised agreement

What makes this programme different

Each participant brings real recommendations that are rewritten during the session
The distinction between finding, cause and recommendation is practised on ambiguous cases
A closing discussion is role-played with an auditee who challenges the identified root cause

Programme

1From Finding to Root Cause

You can only recommend well what you have understood

  • Characterising the finding and the evidence supporting it
  • Looking for the root cause rather than the symptom
  • Expressing the consequence for the audited activity
  • Distinguishing an isolated deviation from a control framework failure

2Drafting the Recommendation

Actionable, demanding and verifiable

  • Wording built on an action verb and an expected outcome
  • Useful level of detail without taking over management's role
  • Prioritising recommendations by level of criticality
  • Wording to avoid because it cannot be verified
  • Consistency between the recommendation and the report

3Securing Acceptance of the Recommendation

Negotiation is part of the job

  • Preparing the closing discussion
  • Handling objections on feasibility and cost
  • Adjusting the level of ambition without hollowing out the recommendation
  • Formalising the agreement and the commitments made

Who is it for

Practising internal auditors and internal control officers as well as quality auditors who draft recommendations.

Prerequisites

Prior practical experience in internal audit or internal control

Dates & locations

12 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.