Strategic Planning, Thinking and Implementation for Internal Audit
Field: Auditing | Delivery Method: Self Study | CPE Hours: 8.0
More Funding. More Value. More Relevant... when you take a strategic approach to internal audit.
If you follow IIA Standards, you need a strategic plan.
If you don't follow IIA Standards, you still should consider thinking and acting strategically.
Are you applying strategy in internal audit? Are you thinking and acting strategically?
40-50% of people say strategic planning isn't critical enough to displace other responsibilities, which couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, it is one of the biggest ways to prove your value, be seen as relevant, and increase your funding.
“Where internal audit functions were more aligned to organizational strategy, higher levels of funding were in place. There is a 21-percentage-point advantage in funding for functions that are almost fully aligned with strategic objectives compared to those that are somewhat aligned.” - IIA North American 2025 Pulse Report.
And, since only 18% of internal audit groups are fully aligned with their organization's strategic plan (IIA Pulse Report), there is a huge opportunity for internal audit to become more strategic.
Without strategy it's like going into battle without a plan, or cutting down trees without sharpening your saw. Eventually things don't go the way you were expecting since you didn't have a plan and didn't take time to think strategically.
Taking a strategic approach makes internal audit more relevant to peers and stakeholders, and also allows more insight into the value internal audit provides, since it is linked to the organization's strategic plan.
In fact, a recent survey from the IIA showed a correlation between internal audit groups who follow a strategic plan aligned with the organizational strategy receiving more funding and cooperation from executive management... another reason to have a well thought out and aligned strategic plan.
In this course you will learn:
- Strategy basics
- Objectives - Strategies - Tactics
- How to apply strategy to internal auditing
- How to comply with the IIA standards for strategic planning
- How to develop an internal audit strategic plan that is link to your organization's strategic plan
- How strategy relates to risk management and risk based internal auditing
- Things you should consider when developing your strategic plan
- How to think strategically
- And, much more...
Field: Auditing
Delivery Method: Self Study
CPE Hours: 8.0
Format: Videos and Exercises
*** BONUS: When you register for this course, you also receive a free 30 minute strategy consultation call to make sure you are headed in the right direction for developing and implementing a tailored strategic plan for your internal audit group. ***
Your Instructor
Jason Mefford is a rock star in internal audit, risk management and compliance. He typically works with Chief Audit Executives (CAE), Audit Committee (AC) members, and professionals in audit, risk and compliance with the technical and soft-skills needed to navigate the land mines of organizations. He takes complicated, confusing & hard things, makes them practical, proactive & simple to improve learning and transformation.
He's been a Chief Audit Executive, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Board Member, and has trained and consulted organizations all over the world. He is a thought leader in all things governance, risk and compliance (GRC) and internal audit, and is the recipient of multiple awards including:
- Rising Star in Corporate Governance from Yale University
- Rising Star in Corporate Governance Award (Finalist) from Corporate Secretary Magazine
- Thought Leader of the Year (Finalist) from The National Association of Experts, Writers & Speakers
- Fellow from the Open Compliance & Ethics Group (OCEG) Think Tank
You can learn more about him at: https://www.jasonmefford.com and join him in the Audit Leader Forum™ at: https://bit.ly/AuditLeader