This course will be presented in association with YourEmpoweredPotential, facilitated by an accredited DISC Facilitators, whom will also include experienced Chartered Accountants. Some of the softer and more intangible aspects of corporate life will be addressed here. This promises to be an invaluable opportunity for final year trainees to gain knowledge about themselves and of others, how to position themselves as part of a team, how to deal with conflict, cultural diversity, knowledge about communication styles, time management, amongst others. Final year trainees will also have the opportunity to engage with experienced Chartered Accountants on the course day.
Leading an audit team not only requires a great deal of knowledge, it also requires dedication, efficiency, and effective leadership skills. Audit leaders today need to know how to run a team properly so that every project runs smoothly. In other words, they need the skills to lead with confidence.
• Understanding how to effectively plan and prepare for an audit
• Learn how to keep the audit in scope and on time
• Learn how to effectively manage client relationships
• Understand how to develop an effective risk-based audit plan
• Learn proper and effective methodologies for prioritizing risks and the audit plan
• Learn effective supervision methods for the field work
Modules include:
1. Your final year Articles – what’s in it for you?
2. What to expect in my final year of articles?
3. Dealing with my first assignment as Auditor-In-Charge (AIC)– what to expect..
4. You and your Training Officer / Mentor / Coach
5. You and your fellow trainees, members of senior staff, partners / directors
6. Listen to some inspiring stories to keep an open mind and to help maintain energy levels and create a habit to learn and develop on your journey to success!
7. Complete a temperament profile test using DISC – learn your leadership style so you can become a deep-rooted YOU! Gain self-knowledge, confirmation where you can make your greatest contribution. You will receive your own personalised Growth Plan!
8. Knowledge of others: conflict management, cultural diversity, communication styles, time management
9. The balancing act: Work-life-studies and maintaining stamina and endurance
10. Tailor communication to different audiences, including interviewing the client, verbal, non-verbal and social media skills
11. Start building your own brand
12. Your bucket list for your role as an AIC
The role of the Auditor / Senior- In-Charge (AIC) - Deepdive
• Demonstrate the qualities required to be an effective Auditor-In-Charge
• Identify the responsibilities of an AIC
• Identify leadership qualities desired in a leader
• Recall the knowledge and skills required of an AIC
Planning the audit
• Plan an audit as an AIC
• Identify the audit planning standards
• Discuss the importance of audit planning
• The preliminary survey
• Identify computer-based audit tools and how they can be implemented (audit planning guidelines for information technology)
• Identify the responsibilities of auditors toward fraud prevention and detection, and control environment elements (NOCLAR and Ethics)
• Explain the importance of the planning memo or engagement letter.
Audit Programs and Staffing
• Develop an audit program and staffing plan (Budget)
• Determine whether audit objectives and resulting scope are properly defined
• Indicate whether audit program steps are stated in a manner that is clear, provide guidance, and contribute to meeting the audit objectives
• Assess staffing assignments.
Audit supervision
• Apply AIC project management skills, supervise staff, and control the audit process – use your Tall Trees Profile temperament knowledge here!!
• Describe the methods AICs can use to maintain effective control over audits
• Discuss strategies for resolving conflicts – Tall Trees Profiles will help you control those Forest Fires!
• Discuss how to avoid control problems – Dealing with some Frost Bite – Let’s face them!
• Determine the nature of supervisory or audit control problems
• Describe the three steps to audit control.
Reviewing working papers
• Review workpapers for completion of audit steps and proper format
• Identify Audit Standards relevant to reviewing workpapers
• Describe the objectives for workpaper reviews.
Management letter discussion points and Reporting
• Demonstrate quality control and review responsibilities for the AIC role
• Describe the AIC’s role in reviewing/evaluating audit concerns
• Determine the best approach for managing client reactions to concerns – need some EQ tips – we will share some valuable insights to give you that positive edge!
• Guidance related to communication of audit concerns
• Review records of audit concerns to determine whether they have been prepared properly
• Develop a strategy for presenting audit concerns.
Finalising / exiting the audit or engagement
• Conduct an effective exit or close out meeting based on tips for success
• Describe the roles and responsibilities for the exit or close out meeting
• Identify the functions of the exit or close out meeting
• Describe the elements for consideration during planning for an exit or close out meeting
• Plan an exit or close out meeting
• Evaluate the success of an exit or close out meeting
Wrapping up the Audit or engagement
• Summarise tasks to conclude an audit
• Describe tasks involved in concluding an audit
• Evaluate management responses to an audit
Appraising staff performance
• Conduct a performance appraisal
• Discuss performance appraisal standards
• Discuss factors influencing performance appraisals
• Assess a performance appraisal
• Plan a performance appraisal
• Conduct a performance appraisal – use your Tall Trees Temperament knowledge here and stand tall as a confident leader!
Trainees in their final year of articles, leading the audit team, with reporting lines to the audit supervisor / manager / partner / director.
Or newly appointed audit supervisors.
