Course Objectives
Report Writing for the Internal Auditor
Course Methodology
This course uses a mixture of presentations, discussions, case studies, videos, role-plays and interactive exercises to transform participants’ knowledge into hands-on practice.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Distinguish barriers to effective written communication and how to overcome them
Structure the audit report for impact
Present audit findings in a clear and concise manner
Identify the target audience and adapt their writing accordingly
Produce an organized and structured audit report draft
Target Audience
This course is suitable for all internal and IT auditors who are required to produce and edit audit reports.
Target Competencies
Drafting audit reports
Gathering data
Presenting data
Editing audit reports
Presenting reports
Course Outline
Introduction to report writing
Value of the audit report
Measuring return
Ensuring a "needs" fit
Maintaining quality control
Elements of written communication
Barriers to written communication
Constructs of written communication
Clear writing techniques
The writing act
Preparing to write
Writing the first draft
The audit report findings and structure
Audit findings and their presentation
Structuring an audit report
Areas to cover
Determine the audience
Likely findings
Technical appendices
Summarizing working papers into reportable narrative
Use of planning worksheets
Differing types of reports
Drafting the audit report
Analyzing the prospective audience
Who the audience is
Number of readers
Organizational status
Knowledge background
Attitude to audit
Personal agendas
Hot topics
Key stakeholders
Writing the draft
Scheduling time
Writing as you go
Structuring your thoughts
Draft quickly and polish later
Use of clear writing techniques
Evaluation of the draft
Checking for substance and strategy
Capturing and maintaining the reader’s attention
Editing the audit report
Editing the report
Bottleneck
Causes of auditor frustration
The "Kilroy was here" syndrome
Editing for substance, readability, correctness and style
Editing others’ work
Applying appropriate levels of editing
To change or not to change?
Build the writer's pride of authorship
Building a desire to write well
The final audit report
Production of the final version
Polishing the report
Deciding distribution
Management responses
Audit replies
Selling the report
Writing the summary
Supporting evidence
Conducting report presentations
Responding to questions
Introduction to report writing
Value of the audit report
Measuring return
Ensuring a "needs" fit
Maintaining quality control
Elements of written communication
Barriers to written communication
Constructs of written communication
Clear writing techniques
The writing act
Preparing to write
Writing the first draft
The audit report findings and structure
Audit findings and their presentation
Structuring an audit report
Areas to cover
Determine the audience
Likely findings
Technical appendices
Summarizing working papers into reportable narrative
Use of planning worksheets
Differing types of reports
Drafting the audit report
Analyzing the prospective audience
Who the audience is
Number of readers
Organizational status
Knowledge background
Attitude to audit
Personal agendas
Hot topics
Key stakeholders
Writing the draft
Scheduling time
Writing as you go
Structuring your thoughts
Draft quickly and polish later
Use of clear writing techniques
Evaluation of the draft
Checking for substance and strategy
Capturing and maintaining the reader’s attention
Editing the audit report
Editing the report
Bottleneck
Causes of auditor frustration
The "Kilroy was here" syndrome
Editing for substance, readability, correctness and style
Editing others’ work
Applying appropriate levels of editing
To change or not to change?
Build the writer's pride of authorship
Building a desire to write well
The final audit report
Production of the final version
Polishing the report
Deciding distribution
Management responses
Audit replies
Selling the report
Writing the summary
Supporting evidence
Conducting report presentations
Responding to questions