Start a conversation ↗

Description

Internal Audit: Scoping the Assignment, Conducting Fieldwork and Driving Action

Build a risk-based audit plan and turn findings into recommendations that are actually implemented

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

Internal audit reports are sometimes filed away with no follow-up: findings disputed, recommendations too generic, action plans never closed out. The difficulty is rarely technical. It lies in how the assignment is scoped, in the quality of the evidence gathered and in the relationship with auditees.

Three days to run a complete assignment: a risk-based audit plan, engagement letter, work programme, interviews and testing, reporting and follow-up of recommendations. Unlike financial audit, which focuses on the accounts, this approach examines processes and the control of business activities, in line with internationally recognised internal audit practice.

Learning objectives

  • Build a prioritised audit plan from the risk register
  • Scope an assignment through an engagement letter and a work programme
  • Conduct audit interviews and gather sufficient reliable evidence
  • Formulate evidence-based findings and workable recommendations
  • Organise the follow-up of action plan implementation

What makes this programme different

A full assignment is run end to end on a process chosen by the group
Audit interviews are simulated with reluctant auditees
Every recommendation drafted is tested for how workable and measurable it is

Programme

1Positioning and the Audit Plan

Selecting the assignments that matter

  • The place of internal audit within the risk control framework
  • Making use of the organisation's risk register
  • Criteria for prioritising assignments
  • Building and validating the audit plan

2Scoping the Assignment

Setting the perimeter before starting

  • Engagement letter and audit objectives
  • Breaking the process down into auditable units
  • Analysis of risks and expected controls
  • Drafting the work programme

3Fieldwork and Audit Evidence

Demonstrate rather than assert

  • Conducting interviews and taking notes
  • Tests, observations and data analysis
  • Issue identification and analysis sheets
  • Validating findings with the auditees

4Reporting and Recommendations

Writing to trigger a decision

  • Ranking findings according to their significance
  • Formulating workable recommendations
  • Report structure and readability
  • Closing meeting and handling disagreements

5Follow-Up and Quality of the Function

Keeping action plans alive

  • Organising the follow-up of recommendations
  • Activity and value-added indicators for the function
  • Relations with executive management and governance bodies
  • Continuous improvement of audit practices

Who is it for

Internal auditors in post or taking up the role · internal control officers · quality managers and managers responsible for risk control.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of how your own entity is organised and prior participation in an audit or control assignment.

Dates & locations

24 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.