Course Details

Internal Compliance Audits and Investigations Training Course

INTRODUCTION

This specialized training course provides essential knowledge and practical skills for conducting effective internal compliance audits and investigations within any organization. Recognizing that robust internal oversight is crucial for identifying weaknesses, deterring misconduct, and ensuring adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies, this program equips participants with a systematic approach to planning, executing, and reporting on audit and investigative findings. Participants will gain deep insights into risk-based auditing, evidence collection, interviewing techniques, and ethical considerations crucial for maintaining organizational integrity and trust. This course is ideal for internal auditors, compliance officers, risk managers, legal professionals, and anyone tasked with safeguarding corporate adherence.

DURATION

5 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for professionals responsible for internal oversight, assurance, and integrity within organizations, including:

• Internal auditors.
• Compliance officers and managers.
• Risk managers and analysts.
• Human Resources professionals involved in investigations.
• Legal and ethics department staff.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental principles and scope of internal compliance audits.
• Plan and execute risk-based compliance audits effectively.
• Apply systematic investigative techniques for suspected compliance breaches.
• Collect, analyze, and document evidence rigorously.
• Report audit findings and investigation outcomes clearly and effectively to stakeholders.

MODULES

Module 1: Foundations of Internal Compliance Audit

• Define internal compliance audit and its role in organizational governance.
• Differentiate compliance audits from financial audits and operational audits.
• Understand the key principles of internal auditing (e.g., independence, objectivity, proficiency).
• Discuss the benefits of regular internal compliance audits for risk mitigation and continuous improvement.
• Examine the relationship between internal audit, compliance functions, and external regulators.

Module 2: Compliance Audit Planning and Scoping

• Learn how to develop an annual risk-based audit plan for compliance.
• Understand methodologies for identifying high-risk compliance areas for audit focus.
• Develop clear audit objectives, scope, and criteria for specific engagements.
• Plan for necessary resources, timelines, and audit team composition.
• Discuss strategies for conducting pre-audit research and stakeholder interviews.

Module 3: Executing the Compliance Audit

• Apply various audit techniques for gathering evidence (e.g., document review, interviews, observation, sampling).
• Understand how to test compliance controls effectively.
• Discuss the process of identifying, documenting, and evaluating audit findings.
• Explore methods for assessing the root causes of non-compliance.
• Learn to maintain proper audit working papers and documentation.

Module 4: Introduction to Compliance Investigations

• Define a compliance investigation and its purpose (e.g., responding to allegations, suspected breaches).
• Understand the triggers for initiating an investigation (e.g., whistleblower reports, audit findings).
• Discuss the initial assessment and scoping of an investigation.
• Examine the legal and ethical considerations in conducting investigations (e.g., privacy, privilege).
• Plan for forming an investigative team and defining roles.

Module 5: Investigative Techniques and Evidence Collection

• Learn techniques for collecting various types of evidence (e.g., digital, documentary, testimonial).
• Discuss the importance of preserving evidence and maintaining a chain of custody.
• Understand best practices for conducting effective and legally sound interviews.
• Explore strategies for analyzing complex information and identifying patterns.
• Address challenges in evidence gathering, such as non-cooperation or conflicting accounts.

Module 6: Reporting Audit Findings and Recommendations

• Structure clear, concise, and impactful audit reports.
• Learn to articulate findings, risks, and their potential impact effectively.
• Develop practical and actionable recommendations for corrective actions.
• Discuss strategies for presenting findings to various stakeholders (e.g., management, board, audit committee).
• Understand the importance of follow-up on recommendations and tracking implementation.

Module 7: Reporting Investigation Outcomes and Follow-up

• Understand the components of a comprehensive investigation report.
• Discuss how to present findings, conclusions, and recommendations clearly and objectively.
• Explore strategies for communicating sensitive investigation outcomes to relevant parties.
• Examine legal and HR considerations for disciplinary actions resulting from investigations.
• Plan for monitoring corrective actions and preventing recurrence of similar incidents.

Module 8: Leveraging Technology and Continuous Improvement

• Explore audit management software and data analytics tools for compliance oversight.
• Discuss the use of e-discovery and forensic tools in investigations.
• Understand how to leverage compliance management systems for better audit and investigation planning.
• Examine techniques for continuous monitoring to proactively identify risks.
• Foster a culture of learning from audit and investigation findings to enhance overall compliance effectiveness.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com