Performing an Effective Quality Assessment

Overview

A hallmark of a quality internal audit function is the ability to keep pace in a dynamic environment. Consistently monitoring the quality of the internal audit function provides audit leaders, the board, and other key stakeholders with the assurance that internal audit is performing at its highest level – providing value throughout an evolving organization. An independent assessment of the value of the internal audit function is delivered through an external quality assessment.

This highly interactive course will provide insight and help you to develop skills to plan, perform, and evaluate the results of an external quality assessment.  You will learn about the process and templates in The IIA’s Quality Assessment (QA) Manual so that you can identify opportunities to improve your internal audit function’s quality activities. Working through a case study, you will get hands-on experience in the process quality assessment.

Target Audience 

Participants should have at least 3–5 years’ experience in Internal Audit.

Course Objectives

• Examine the process flow and templates in the updated Quality Assessment (QA) Manual and explore how these can be used to evaluate conformance with the Global Internal Audit Standards to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. 
• Practice using quality assessment techniques and skills to plan, perform, and evaluate the results of an external quality assessment case study. 
• Discuss how to use the QA Manual templates in a periodic self-assessment. 
• Evaluate the external quality assessment options and determine which will work best for your internal audit function. 

Course Content

Quality Assessment Manual and Process Overview

• Overview of the Global Internal Audit Standards, including standards referencing quality
• Overview of the Quality Assessment (QA) Manual and its process flow and templates

Types of Quality Assessments

• Internal quality assessments
• Full external quality assessments
• Self-assessment with independent validation
  
   

Planning the Quality Assessment

• Quality assessment planning process overview
  • Planning process steps and the responsibilities of the chief audit executive (CAE)
• Team selection and qualifications
• Initial data request and conformance overviews
• Initial discussion with the chief audit executive
• Planning- Surveys and interviews
• Planning a self-assessment with independent validation

Performing the Quality Assessment

• Fieldwork
• Assessing achievement of the Domains of the Global Internal Audit Standards
• Assessing the maturity of an internal audit function
• Interviews with key stakeholders
• Case study interview results
• Case study quality assessment program results

Evaluating and Reporting Quality Assessment Results

• Evaluating the internal audit function and reporting
• Closing Conferences
• Reporting
• Evaluating case study results, using the assessment criteria

Course Duration

26/05: 9am until 5pm (lunch included)

27/05: 9am until 5pm (lunch included)

28/05: 9am until 1pm (no lunch)

*Updated for GIAS 2025 and the new Quality Assessment Manual!*