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Courses/Audit & Assurance/Internal Audit

Internal Audit in the Future

Transform your audit function from reactive validation to proactive strategic advisory by mastering emerging technologies, updated standards, and data-driven insights.

Created byLynn Fountain
5.0
(6 reviews)
BeginnerUpdated Mar 3, 2026
Internal Audit in the Future

What You'll Learn

check_circleIdentify the challenges for auditors to stay relevant in a changing business environment.
check_circleReview the updated IA standards.
check_circleExamine challenges to the traditional audit process.
check_circleExamine actions IA can take to address challenges.
check_circleExplore the importance of upgrading the skills and exposure of the IA team.
check_circleRecognize the role of technology in assuring a smooth transition to value-added auditing.

About This Course

As organizations face accelerating change—AI adoption, cyber threats, regulatory expansion, ESG scrutiny, and geopolitical instability—the role of internal audit is evolving rapidly. The future of internal audit is not about doing more audits. It’s about delivering forward-looking insight, strategic alignment, and intelligent risk coverage.

Organizations, their environments, and ways of working have evolved rapidly and in ways that had not been previously envisioned. IA must look within, to determine how to stay relevant and add value in this changing and emerging environment.

Challenges include:

  • Emerging business risks and technologies
  • Audit plan priorities
  • Staff skills
  • Department resources

It is important that IA is proactive and prepared, while remaining pragmatic, as the situation continues to evolve. This session will explore the many facets of change Internal Audit is set to experience.

Key learning outcomes and topics include:

  • Identifying challenges and opportunities for auditors to remain relevant in a changing business environment.
  • Understanding the core shifts and domains within the updated Internal Audit Standards.
  • Transitioning from manual audit processes to agile, continuous monitoring, and dynamic audit planning.
  • Evaluating emerging risks related to cybersecurity, AI governance, and digital transformation.
  • Developing critical soft skills, including business acumen, critical thinking, and effective communication.

This course concludes with a self-assessment framework, allowing you to benchmark your current internal audit function's maturity and identify specific areas for improvement. Join us to discover how to transform your audit processes, upgrade team skills, and secure a seat at the table as a trusted strategic partner in the future of business.

Your Instructor

Lynn Fountain
Lynn Fountain
menu_book206 courses
star10,664 reviews

Lynn Fountain has over 45 years of experience spanning public accounting, corporate accounting and consulting. 24 years of her experience has been working in the areas of internal and external auditing. She is a subject matter expert in multiple fields including internal audit, ethics, fraud evaluations, Sarbanes-Oxley, enterprise risk management, governance, financial management and compliance. Ms. Fountain has held two Chief Audit Executive positions for international companies. In 2011, as the Chief Audit Executive for an international construction/ engineering firm, she was involved in the active investigation of a joint venture fraud. The investigation included work with the FBI and ultimately led to indictment of the perpetrators and recovery of $13M. Ms. Fountain is currently engaged in her own training and consulting business and is a regular trainer for the AICPA. Ms. Fountain is the author of three separate technical books. “Raise the Red Flag – The Internal Auditors Guide to Fraud Evaluations” was published by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation. -“Leading The Internal Audit Function” and -“Ethics and The Internal Auditor Political Dilemma” were published by Taylor & Francis In addition Ms. Fountain was a contributing author to the certification program exam for the National Association of Accountants. She also has certificate programs on various on-line platforms. Ms. Fountain has performed as an adjunct instructor for the School of Business for Grantham University and developed the first internal audit curriculum for the School of Business at the University of Kansas. Ms. Fountain obtained her BSBA from Pittsburg State University and her MBA from Washburn University in Kansas. She has her CGMA, CRMA credentials and CPA certificate (non-active).

Credit Information

What Students Are Saying

5.0
Student's Choice
6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.