Training Objectives

The objective of the seminar is to update and provide guidance for all issues related to effective communication between auditors and auditees indicating all those techniques that will help Internal Auditors to be respected and accepted by their “internal clients”.

In addition the analysis of effective interviewing techniques will provide an utterly structured method to approach different and difficult situations that Internal Auditors might face while doing their job, more specifically:

• Learning interviewing techniques and styles 
• Understanding different styles of communication 
• Communicating effectively with clients and stakeholders 
• Active listening skills 
• Becoming a skilled interviewer – developing an effective questioning and interviewing style 
• Developing skills for dealing with difficult people and situations 
• Using interviewing guides and tools 
• Tips, tools and techniques for communication 

Training Outline

Communication Skills 

• Listening 
• Body Language 
• Tone and Attitude 
• Formal versus Informal  
• Understanding your Audience 

Communication Styles 

• Types of Communication 
• How style type impacts presenting and receiving messages 
• Styles, behaviors and preferences 
• Identifying behaviors and working with varying behaviors 

Interviewing Preparation 

• Meeting rooms and places 
• Scheduling 
• Agendas 
• Preparation 
• Formalities 

The Interview  

• Understanding the Business 
• Defining Objectives and Risks 
• Dos and Don’ts of Interviewing 
• Interviews to discuss the audit findings 
• Interviews for the investigation of fraud 

Listening Skills 

• Active Listening 
• Repeating, paraphrasing, reflecting 
• Response Skills 

Questioning 

• Types, styles and progression of questions 
• Asking effective questions 
• Using guides and questionnaires 

Meetings 

• Facilitating Meetings 
• Agendas 
• Timing and location 
• Formalities – length, rescheduling, follow-up 
• Control Self-Assessment workshop – What it is and how to organize it   

Negotiating 

• Being Prepared 
• Characteristics of a negotiation 
• People versus Problems 
• Identifying alternative solutions 
• Understanding Positions 

Challenges 

• Difficult people and situations 
• Conflict situations 
• Audit findings 
• Relations between auditors and auditees 
• Reasons for low esteem of internal auditors 
• Analysis of practical examples – Real cases 

Who should attend

• Directors of Internal Audit 
• Heads of Compliance and Compliance managers and staff 
• Internal audit managers and staff 

Training Style

The programme is designed to deliver knowledge and enhance participants’ skills via short lectures, case-studies, practical examples, real-life simulations. Most of the training will focus in assessing participants’ current strengths and weaknesses via formal assessment tools. Participants will also benefit from customised feedback at the end of the programme and take away the knowledge gained to be transferred at their workplace.  

CPD Recognition

This programme may be approved for up to 7 CPD units in Internal Audit. Eligibility criteria and CPD Units are verified directly by your association, regulator or other bodies which you hold membership.

In-house Training

For groups within the same organisation, this course may be customized to meet any specific needs and delivered in-house.