Course Description
Completely Updated in 2025 to be aligned with the new Global Internal Audit Standards and Quality Assurance Manual!
An external quality assessment (EQA) is a vital part of the quality assurance and improvement program for internal audit functions, required by the Standards every five years to evaluate conformance to the Standards and the audit function’s performance objectives. EQAs demonstrate a commitment to quality, professionalism, and continuous improvement while providing a benchmark for the maturity and reliability of the audit function within the organization. To ensure these assessments are conducted effectively, they must be performed by a qualified audit professional, such as a Certified Internal Auditor with extensive experience.
This certificate program equips participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct External Quality Assessments (EQAs) of internal audit functions with professionalism and confidence. Through a comprehensive curriculum aligned with the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards and the Quality Assurance Manual, learners will master the end-to-end EQA process, from planning and execution to reporting and stakeholder engagement.
The program emphasizes the use of the Quality Assurance Manual, effective communication techniques, and ethical practices to deliver actionable insights. Participants will engage in interactive workshops, real-life case studies, and role-playing exercises to simulate client interactions and on-site activities, ensuring practical application of concepts. Collaborative group discussions and problem-solving sessions further enhance learning and foster peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.
Participants receive a complementary digital copy of the Quality Assurance Manual.
Participants who complete the instructor-led portion of the program are eligible to sit for the certificate exam (40 multiple choice questions). A passing score on the exam rewards candidates with a certificate stating the candidate has successfully completed IIA recognized external quality assessment training and assessment for conducting quality assessments. Those earning the Quality Assessor Certificate will receive a digital badge to add to their LinkedIn profile and resume.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course will provide participants interested in becoming external quality assessors with the appropriate knowledge and skills to plan, perform, and evaluate the results of an external quality assessment. Participants will also learn about the processes and tools in the IIA Quality Assessment Manual that can help identify opportunities to improve internal audit quality activities. This course will specifically benefit external quality assessors enhancing their skillset to perform IIA Standards based quality assessments.
Course Objectives
- Understand the key components of a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) as defined in the IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards.)
- Master the end-to-end process of conducting an external quality assessment (EQA), from initial planning to final reporting, while learning to effectively use the Quality Assessment Manual as the foundational assessment tool.
- Determine what it means to be a trusted advisor in the context of performing an EQA and the ethical standards and behaviors required of all quality assessors.
- Learn how to manage the logistics of an EQA, including project management, data analysis, information requests, interviewing, surveying, scheduling, resource allocation, and on-site coordination.
- Learn the process and requirements for assessing each standard, principle, and domain of the Standards.
- Learn how to assess conformance to the standards and performance objectives of an audit function and provide recommendations for conformance gaps and best practices.
- Learn the requirements for creating clear, concise, and complete reports from the work performed that prompt action and point the audit function toward continuous improvement.
Course Topics
- Standards and Quality:
- Defining quality.
- A review of the Global Internal Audit Standards (Standards).
- The Standards associated with quality.
- Understanding the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP).
- Understanding the External Quality Assessment (EQA).
- Understanding the Quality Assessment Manual.
- The Ethical and Trusted Advisor:
- Understanding the importance of ethics as a quality assessor.
- Demonstrating the principles of Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism.
- Understanding the role of the trusted advisor in quality assessments.
- Preparing for a Quality Assessment:
- Leveraging technology.
- Considerations for small audit functions.
- Scoping the assessment.
- Communicating value
- Proposals and statements of work.
- Scheduling.
- Creating project plans.
- Creating project teams.
- Planning an External Quality Assessment:
- The planning process.
- Initial discussions with audit leaders.
- Requesting documentation for the assessment.
- Conducting surveys.
- Conducting interviews.
- Interviewing the Chief Audit Executive (CAE).
- Creating the work program.
- Performing an External Quality Assessment:
- The Assessment Process.
- Documenting Assessment Results.
- Assessing Domain I.
- Assessing Domain II.
- Assessing Domains III and IV:
- Assessing Principles 6 - 12 of the Standards.
- Data collection methods and tools
- Benchmarking and best practices
- Assessing Domain V:
- Assessing Principles 13 - 15 of the Standards.
- Additional assessments that may be required based on the organization.
- Evaluating and Reporting:
- Evaluating the audit function.
- Evaluating the maturity of the audit function.
- Conducting a closing conference.
- Creating the final report.
- Reporting best practices.
- Closing the project.
Summary Info
NASBA Delivery Method: Group Live, Group Internet Based
NASBA Field of Study: Auditing
Prerequisites: Completion of the course entitled “Building a Sustainable Quality Program” and/or a deep understanding of the QAIP under IIA Standards. Participants should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in internal audit.
Topic(s): Quality Assurance and Improvement Program
Delivered by: Ninad Pradhan - CRMA, MBA, PGDCSM, BSc, QAC & Senior Consultant & Trainer (UAE Internal Auditors Association)
Ninad has a cumulative 25+ years experience in the fields of IT, Quality, and Internal Audit in assessing using various models and standards such as Deming’s Prize, EFQM/Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Human Development Award, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and ISO/TS 16949. His assessment and process audit experience covers industries ranging from manufacturing, hospitality and construction.
Currently, Ninad is a Senior Consultant & Trainer with the UAE IAA with primary responsibilities of providing value added QA services to its clients and focused and bespoke training. Ninad has very recently completed the QA certificate course from IIA Global.. He has been involved in conducting QAs for clients in UAE and the GCC Countries. Conducted 90+ QAs and Readiness Reviews for clients in UAE and GCC of which he has been team lead for 80+ QAs and Readiness Reviews.
Location: The venue will be decided prior to the course date
