# Intermediate Performance Auditing Course (Self-Paced) Canonical URL: ## Overview Gain the knowledge and skills necessary for a seasoned audit professional performing or supervising complex performance audits. Learn key concepts and decision processes for successfully executing each phase of a performance audit: survey, planning, fieldwork, and reporting. Participants will engage in a progressive case study that covers multiple program types (manufacturing, distribution, welfare, and internal audit) across all four phases. This case study allows students to explore the audit process and challenges you to consider audit alternatives, make critical decisions, and examine the outcome of your decisions. Apply techniques used by experienced audit practitioners and supervisors in this hands-on approach to managing audit engagements and ensuring more timely completion of meaningful audits. This course is aligned with the 2024 Yellow Book (GAGAS). ## What you'll learn - Prepare audit programs for each phase of the audit. - Based on survey work, identify detailed audit issues and core performance aspects having maximum potential for improvement. - Appraise in fieldwork, the quantity and quality of program products and services (outputs), and the timeliness of their delivery to customers. - Appraise in fieldwork, the economy, and efficiency in producing program products and services, and in delivering them to customers. - Prepare an analysis demonstrating any potential for improvement. - Develop performance findings and make recommendations for improvement. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Performance Audits - Distinguish between types of governmental audit assignments, including financial audits, attestation engagements, and performance audits - Define the objectives and focus areas of performance audits, including program effectiveness, economy and efficiency, internal controls, and compliance - Analyze program effectiveness by evaluating criteria relevance, outcome measurement methods, and data accuracy - Apply economy and efficiency audit techniques to identify cost savings and productivity improvements - Describe the four phases of a performance audit and the key characteristics that define each phase #### Module 2: Surveys - Conduct an initial survey by reviewing legislation to determine program authority, objectives, and legal restrictions - Gather and analyze background information about program activities, organizational structure, and performance data - Identify potential performance problems and concerns by detecting inconsistencies, compliance gaps, and unrealistic performance expectations - Assess performance areas using impact and likelihood criteria to prioritize issues for further examination - Select areas for detailed fieldwork based on survey findings and their potential for significant improvement #### Module 3: Planning - Develop well-constructed audit objectives that clearly identify the subject, performance aspect, and expected finding elements - Distinguish between objectives that seek condition and those that respond to specific allegations or concerns - Apply appropriate criteria — both definitive and elusive — to guide audit scope and evaluation standards - Explain how audit objectives shape scope, methodology, data gathering, and the findings and recommendations process - Recognize the consequences of imprecise objectives and apply strategies to refine them before fieldwork begins #### Module 4: Fieldwork - Execute in-depth fieldwork to determine whether identified performance problems exist and are significant - Gather and evaluate evidence to establish facts, support findings, and develop conclusions - Apply the four attributes of an audit finding — condition, criteria, effect, and cause — to structure analysis - Develop finding point sheets that capture all required elements, including agency comments and recommendations #### Module 5: Reporting - Explain the purpose of audit reporting, including communicating results, preventing misunderstanding, and facilitating follow-up - Apply a sound reasoning process to plan report content and assess the persuasiveness of conclusions and recommendations - Evaluate audit findings against established quality characteristics: significance, objectivity, sufficient evidence, and logical conclusions - Structure a written audit finding using standard components, including charge paragraph, criteria, condition, cause, effect, and recommendations ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1199