Session Descriptions:

The Art of Reflection: Elevating How You Engage and Lead

Dale Jeanes, Retired Chief Auditor, Leadership & EQ Coach, Jeanes Professional Development LLC

In our fast-paced world, the ability to engage in thoughtful, empowering conversations is a game-changer. This session will introduce key concepts and skills to help audit professionals foster stronger relationships, evoke critical thinking, and drive meaningful, reflective dialogue. We will explore the power of adopting coach-like mindsets and reflective questioning to shift conversations from being directive to empowering others to uncover new insights and solutions. Participants will learn simple, practical techniques they can put into action right away. This session is a must for leaders and anyone looking to strengthen their presence in both formal and everyday interactions.

Learning objectives:

1. Raise awareness about when and how adapting your conversational style can foster critical thinking and empower others to discover their own solutions.
2. Understand the skills to engage in meaningful conversations that strengthen relationships and encourage deeper insights.
3. Learn to apply strategies that immediately enhance interactions and support professional development in others.

Delivering Audit Reports That Matter

Margie Bastola, Principal, Margie Bastolla Facilitations, LLC

Delivering timely, accurate, and compelling audit reports is essential to an internal audit department’s success.  Unfortunately, most auditors dislike−and some even detest−the report-development process.  For audit staff and managers, writing is arduous, the editing process is frustrating, and the next audit is already calling.  For audit executives, the constant review and revision of report content is both time-consuming and burdensome. 

To help internal auditors solve these report-development challenges, Margie will share what she has learned from teaching thousands of auditors to think critically and write clearly. Furthermore, she will discuss her 2023, IIA-published book Clarity, Impact, Speed:  Delivering Audit Reports that Matter,2nd Edition. 

In this highly interactive presentation, you will learn:

•           The 7 Deadly Audit Report Mistakes.

•           reader expectations for report structure, content, and readability.

•           how critical thinking skills underpin content creation.

•           five principles for writing compelling reports.

•           practical ways to speed up report development.

•           examples of innovative audit reports.

•           how to build your team’s writing skills and confidence.

Maximizing Internal Audit Quality Through the Effective Implementation of the IIA Standards

Warren Hersh, CIA, CPA, CISA, CFE – Director, IIA Quality Service

In 2024, the IIA published an update to the IPPF, including new Global Internal Audit Standards.  The new Standards seek to elevate the quality of internal audit by requiring an internal audit function to demonstrate not only conformance but also performance.

In this session, you will be provided with insight into how to effectively implement the new Standards to ensure that internal audit provides the best possible quality service to your organization.  In addition, Mr. Hersh will provide tips and suggestions on how to implement the Standards successfully and practically in the most efficient and effective way drawing on his vast experience in conducting quality assessment reviews and helping to establish and improve internal audit functions.

CPE Learning Objectives

In this session, participants will gain practical knowledge of:

•           Why The Standards Matter

•           Impacts of the New Standards on Future Quality Assessments

•           Tips and Techniques for the Successful Implementation of the Standards

•           Common Observations from Quality Assessment Reviews

 

More session information to come….