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Description

Audit Interviews: Preparing the Guide, Conducting the Discussion and Using the Answers

Obtain verifiable facts in interviews rather than general statements about procedures

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

The audit interview often determines the quality of the entire engagement. Yet it is frequently prepared in haste, using a list of questions carried over from the previous file. The auditee recites the procedure, the auditor takes notes without probing, and the findings prove too weak once the report has to be written.

These three hours are devoted to conducting the interview itself. Participants work on preparing the interview guide, probing and rephrasing techniques, handling reluctance, and giving immediate feedback on the points retained. Each participant practises on realistic interview situations and leaves with a reusable preparation template.

Learning objectives

  • Prepare an interview guide based on the engagement objectives
  • Adapt questioning to the seniority of the person being interviewed
  • Probe and rephrase in order to obtain facts and evidence
  • Handle reluctance and evasive answers without breaking the dialogue
  • Summarise and have the points retained validated at the end of the interview

What makes this programme different

Closed and leading questions brought by participants are reworded live
Two interviews are role-played: first with a reluctant auditee, then with an over-talkative one
Note-taking is practised so as to produce findings that can be used directly

Programme

1Preparing the interview

The guide is built from the objectives

  • Translating engagement objectives into interview questions
  • Selecting the people to interview and the order of meetings
  • Documents to review before the meeting
  • Setting the timeframe and explaining the process to the auditee

2Conducting the discussion

Getting people to talk without feeding them the answers

  • Opening the interview and establishing a constructive climate
  • Open questions, probing and rephrasing
  • Systematically asking for examples and supporting documents
  • Dealing with evasive answers and blame directed at third parties
  • Identifying gaps between the procedure described and actual practice

3Using the answers

Turning the interview into evidence

  • Structured note-taking during the discussion
  • Verbal summary of the points retained at the end of the interview
  • Written record and validation by the auditee
  • Moving from the statements collected to the tests to be performed

Who is it for

Internal auditors and internal control officers in post, as well as quality auditors conducting interviews in the field.

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.