# What an Audit Means to You: Working with the Auditors and Surviving an Audit Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Most government managers, program managers, contract officers, and grant managers will be subject to an audit either because it is required by law, requested by stakeholders, or selected by an audit oversight organization. Audits are part of the internal control process to ensure accountability in the use of public funds and promote economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of government operations. Prepare for and survive an audit with a positive outcome by understanding how audits work, what auditors do, and your role in the audit process in providing necessary records and reports, and in responding to the results of the audit. This is a must-have, one-day seminar for meeting legal, regulatory, policy, and process requirements of audits. ## What you'll learn - Gain an overview of the Government Auditing Standards. - Understand the authority, responsibility, and duties of Inspectors General – The IG Act. - Get knowledge of the steps in the audit process. - Understand standards and roles for Internal Control – The GAO Green Book. - Understand the differences between the types of audits. - Understand the process, roles, and responsibilities of audit resolution and follow-up. ## Prerequisites Students should have prior experience interpreting federal regulations, maintaining compliance documentation, and understanding basic internal control concepts, as well as familiarity with audit processes, roles, and responsibilities within a government or public sector context. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Overview of The Government Auditing Standards - Understand the foundational principles and application of GAGAS (“Yellow Book”). - Explore ethics, independence, and professional judgment for auditors. - Learn about continuing education and licensing requirements for audit professionals. - Examine the standards for various audit types: financial, attestation, and performance. - Understand peer review, quality control, and fraud assessment in audits. #### Module 2: Authority, Responsibilities, and Duties of the OIG Auditors – The IG Act of 1978 - Review the historical context of the Inspector General's role, including key cases like Billy Sol Estes. - Explore the provisions, authority, and responsibilities outlined in the IG Act. - Understand IG appointment and removal processes and administrative powers. - Discuss the role of whistleblower protections and statutory reporting requirements. - Identify mechanisms for oversight, including congressional reporting and budget independence. #### Module 3: Steps in the Audit Process - Distinguish between statutory, stakeholder-requested, and discretionary audits. - Understand the audit phases: planning, fieldwork, findings, reporting, and resolution. - Learn to define audit objectives, scope, and methodology. - Examine evidence collection techniques and how to develop actionable recommendations. - Understand audit communication strategies, including entrance and exit conferences. #### Module 4: Standards for Internal Control – The GAO Green Book - Learn the purpose and function of internal control in public sector auditing. - Study OMB Circular A-123 and FMFIA for managing federal internal controls. - Understand how management addresses deficiencies through documented corrective actions. - Interpret Green Book components: control environment, risk assessment, activities, communication, and monitoring. - Recognize how internal audits ensure efficient operations and legal compliance. #### Module 5: Types of Audits - Identify and compare performance, contract, grant, compliance, and financial audits. - Understand requirements under 2 CFR § 200, including single audit thresholds and scope. - Review audit preparation procedures and documentation for grants and contracts. - Interpret financial statements and audit findings follow-up. - Explore auditor selection processes and compliance responsibilities of the auditee. #### Module 6: Audit Resolution and Follow-Up - Understand OMB Circular A-50 and its 180-day resolution requirement. - Learn the role of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and how they support accountability. - Review reporting requirements for unimplemented audit recommendations. - Explore escalation procedures for unresolved audit disagreements. - Study federal reporting laws like the GAO-IG Act and IG Empowerment Act. ## Schedule - Jul 16, 2026 9:00am–5:00pm — Live Online - Aug 17, 2026 9:00am–5:00pm — Live Online - Sep 14, 2026 9:00am–5:00pm — Live Online - Nov 23, 2026 9:00am–5:00pm — Live Online ## Instructors ### Alan B. Robinson — Instructor Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts. Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field. ### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition. He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others. Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $579