IIA Certificate course content
Theory modules:
Corporate Governance and Risk Management
This module is designed to enable the internal auditor to provide assurance on the existence and effectiveness of internal control and risk management systems in the context of good corporate governance. It will provide the internal auditor with the knowledge and skills to give advice and assistance to management in the establishment and maintenance of corporate governance and risk management structures and processes. Through a two-day, practical workshop, the module focuses on:
- Understanding corporate governance and the management of risk, including the role of internal audit
- Identifying and critically evaluating the elements of governance and risk management in an organisation
- Co-ordinating and facilitating risk assessment exercises.
Internal Auditing - Tools and Techniques
This module is designed to enable the internal auditor to understand the focus, responsibilities and methodologies associated with the effective delivery of internal audit services.
Through a two-day, practical workshop, the module focuses on:
- Developing an understanding of the Professional Practices Framework that underpins the professional requirements of internal auditing
- Describing and explaining the range of services that can be provided to audit clients, and specifically those concerned with the assessment of risk, control and governance processes and the provision of assurance
- Explaining how to apply the tools and techniques associated with audit services and activities to realistic situations
Skills modules:
Effective Delivery of an Audit
This module is designed to introduce the internal auditor to the skills needed to project manage the audit assignment. Through a two-day, practical workshop, the module focuses on:
- Developing an understanding of project management skills and processes
- Understanding the development of the audit engagement brief
- Developing audit plans to deliver results
- Monitoring the progress of an audit engagement
Communication and Client-Auditor Relations
This module is designed to enable the internal auditor to understand the role of effective communication and how to build relationships with clients. Through a two-day, practical workshop, the module focuses on:
- Understanding the principles of effective communication
- Developing skills to build effective relationships with clients
- Practising key interviewing and negotiating skills
- Developing reporting and presentation skills and techniques.
Project assignment
Certificate students must complete a written assignment to show:
- Their ability to undertake research
- Their ability to address the subject of the assignment and use relevant information effectively
- Their ability to critique a subject, make balanced judgements and display effective communication skills
Students may select an assignment topic from two options. The assignment submission must address the question in no more than 3500 words.
Personal development portfolio (PDP)
Certificate students also need to keep a portfolio to confirm that they have learned from their experiences on the programme and are capable of transferring that learning to the workplace. The portfolio should be completed over a period of time and not just at the conclusion of the two-year enrolment period, and must be validated by the student's employer. The portfolio comprises record sheets showing evidence of the following;
- Learning from the four workshops
- Internal audit practice
As of January 2007, the Institute now accepts electronic submission of personal development portfolios and project assignments for the Certificate in Internal Auditing and Business Risk. Students should send their submission via email. This should include a statement confirming ownership,
"I confirm that the attached personal development portfolio and project assignment are my own work and that I am submitting them for assessment for the award of the Certificate in Internal Auditing and Business Risk".
The attached personal development portfolio and project assignment should preferably be in Adobe PDF format. The Institute will convert other format submissions received to PDF in order to protect the contents from alteration. If a student is unable to submit electronically, we will continue to accept hard copy submissions.
Dates of Certificate courses