Assessing Controls in Performance Audits Course (Self-Paced)
IDAUDT8021SP

Module 1: Importance of Internal Controls

• Explain what internal controls are and how they are used.
• Explain the relationship between controls and processes, and how both affect program performance.
• Explain the types of controls and their purposes.
• Describe a model for a system of internal control.
• Describe two ways to monitor the effectiveness of a system of internal control.

Module 2: Government Standards for Implementing and Auditing Controls

• Decide when and how the government auditing standard for assessing controls applies.
• Discuss the “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” and apply them to a case exercise.

Module 3: Integrating Assessment of Controls in the Survey Phase

• Name three purposes of a survey.
• Decide what information needs to be pursued in a given survey using a list of common information needs.
• Cite sources of needed information.
• Apply one risk assessment method to select subject areas and controls for a follow-on audit.

Module 4: Planning Audits to Assess Controls

• Explain the basic approaches for conducting performance audits and the purpose of examining processes and controls in each approach.
• Describe the matters to consider when planning an audit to assess controls.
• Formulate audit objectives for assessing controls that clearly state what the audit is intended to accomplish.
• Apply a step-by-step process for designing performance audits to achieve the audit objectives and use a matrix to document the design.

Module 5: Documenting Controls

• Explore two key documentation methods: narrative description and flowcharting.
• Use flowcharts and process maps to visualize control structures.
• Understand how documentation supports control evaluation.

Module 6: Reporting Control Findings

• Describe the requirements for reporting on controls and how they are applied.
• Identify the nature of deficiencies in internal controls.
• Organize a finding by preparing an outline that aligns audit evidence with the appropriate finding element.

Module 7: Case Exercise

• Apply all learned concepts in a comprehensive case scenario.
• Identify mission-specific and integrity risks in real-world audit situations.
• Evaluate internal control effectiveness and formulate audit findings.