CPD resources
Building self-assurance
Under our policy for the professional development of members, we have a very simple definition of CPD. It embraces any new learning that impacts on one’s role as an internal auditor or audit manager. It may be achieved through a wide variety of different types of activity. Some CPD will be very formal and highly structured, while other activities may be much less so. There is no requirement to engage in a minimum number of hours of activity of a particular kind. What is important is that you identify how you might achieve your targets for maintaining and/or advancing specific professional competences.
The kinds of activities and resources you may like consider could include:
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attending courses, conferences, seminars and master classes
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following distance and open learning (paper-based and electronic)
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undertaking structured reading and research, including technical updates and periodicals
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developing and producing technical papers, reports and other resources
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taking part in role play and other simulation exercises
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working towards new relevant qualifications
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contributing to the activity of relevant professional bodies and their committees
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engaging in work-shadowing, job exchanges, professional placements and secondments
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soliciting peer reviews and analysing feedback on own performance
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participating in or leading professional discussions or learning conversations
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networking and sharing good practice with colleagues in the profession
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engaging in in-house training and development, by external trainers as well as by colleagues and peers
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receiving or giving mentoring and coaching
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supported induction into new areas of activity (job enhancement, job rotation, job sharing, promotion)
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reflective practice, such as maintaining a journal
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leading meetings or projects
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accessing an external consultant or adviser
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undertaking developmental work on behalf of the Institute as a committee member, examiner, moderator, assessor or similar role
Remember that the important dimension is how your CPD impacts upon your professional role in terms of behaviour, attitude, skills, knowledge and performance. If it doesn’t then it isn’t CPD.
As we develop our on-line professional development tool we will build in links between specific competences and resources aimed at developing them. You will find these in the self-assessment page indicated by a letter ‘r’. Clicking on this will highlight suggested resources and activities to consider.
The following summary information may be used as a guide to available resources:
IIA Training
Through a large range of dedicated seminars, workshops, courses and events IIA Training offers many opportunities for professional development. A full course listing can be found if you click here.
IIA Learning
If you are looking for more formal education towards professional qualifications or assessed modules then IIA Learning delivers open learning options. Full details can be found here.
Details of all the tuition providers delivering the Institute’s professional qualifications can also be found by clicking here.
Formal CPD modules
The IIA is developing a suite of learning modules to complement and extend the existing professional portfolio. Members will be able to build upon knowledge and skills developed through the IIA Diploma and Advanced Diploma and develop areas of expertise in technical areas of auditing such as IT, clinical practice, treasury, fraud, corporate social responsibility and business continuity planning.
The first of these to be made available will be in IT audit. Proposals for the new Certificate in IT Audit are being consulted upon and finalised for a planned launch in November 2008. Other modules will follow using a similar model and will developed and launched thereafter.
Open University
The Centre for Professional Learning and Development at the Open University offers a portfolio of short courses for practising professionals who wish to update and extend their skills. As members of the IIA you are entitled to a 10% discount for these modules. Their current offer includes:
- Managing performance through people
- Managing organisational performance
- Leading organisational change
- Mentoring at work
- Marketing in practice
- Understanding stress at work
- How to use coaching at work
Pathways to a Masters degree
The Institute has gained external recognition for its professional qualifications, which, assuming no exemptions, are as follows:
- IIA Diploma in Internal Audit Practice – 60 credits at Masters level
- IIA Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing and Management – 60 credits at Masters level
- IIA Qualification in Computer Auditing – 30 credits at Masters level
The following higher education institutes welcome onto their Masters programme IIA members who have completed one or more of the Institute’s professional qualifications:
This list will be updated as more universities confirm their offer to IIA members.
IIA knowledge centre
Members have exclusive access to a vast store of knowledge, articles, technical guidance, discussion documents and other resources through the online knowledge centre. There is also the opportunity to ask a member of the technical team for guidance on specific matters.
Other useful websites
There are many useful Internet resources, and members are invited to let us know of ones they find useful so that we can share these with everyone. The following provide many useful definitions and examples of management tools.
Management models, tools and theories
Decision-making models, theories and methods
Offering or receiving professional mentoring and coaching
You may identify that as part of your CPD you wish to have the support of a peer coach or mentor from outside your organisation from someone who can provide advice, guidance and the benefit of their experience. Alternatively you may wish as an experienced internal auditor to offer your services as a mentor for other members. This is a new area for the Institute and we are developing a scheme to facilitate this. However, if you are interested in participating, either as a mentor or as someone wishing to receive mentoring, please email us.
Internships, secondments and work shadowing
Sometimes it is beneficial to get a new perspective by working alongside professional colleagues in other organisations. This may well be the best route to gaining the missing experience that you need to develop your competences. As part of the service we provide to members we are investigating the feasibility of establishing a formalised scheme whereby we can broker relationships between members and organisations for the enrichment of their careers. If you are interested in participating, by offering placements or because you would like to consider a period of work shadowing or secondment, please email us.