• 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.