Internal audits go better when the people being audited know what to expect. This talk explains the process from planning to follow up, and the guidance gives any new auditor a solid grounding.

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This training talk is supplied in fully editable MS Word format, prepared using the F-Q7 Training Talk Attendance Record form template. All text is in Calibri font for improved readability.
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Further Reading

Further guidance on internal auditing:

• Internal Auditing Explained
• Conducting an Internal Audit
• Auditor Competence and Independence
• Internal Auditing knowledge base

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Internal Audits Training Talk

A training talk on internal audits for internal auditors and the staff they audit - why audits are carried out, how they are planned and run, and how findings are reported and followed up. It is a one-page attendance record with the talk description already filled in, and it refers to the guidance document to run the talk from.

The Talk and the Documents It Refers To

• TT-1-10 Internal Audits - the attendance record, with the topic and talk description ready to use and a signature line for each attendee
• GG-1-10 Internal Audits - the guidance document the talk is based on, to prepare from and to issue to staff afterwards

Talk Description

• What an internal audit is and why audits are carried out
• Types of audit - internal, external, management system and process audits
• Auditor competence, independence and the principles of auditing
• The audit schedule, and planning each audit - objectives, criteria, scope and checklist
• Carrying out the audit - opening meeting, recording evidence and closing meeting
• Reporting findings, follow-up, and review at management review

Running the Talk

Read through the guidance beforehand, talk the points through with the team, then have everyone sign the record. Keep the signed record as evidence that the briefing took place and who received it.

Why Auditor Independence Is Covered

An auditor checking their own work is unlikely to see it with fresh eyes, which is why independence sits alongside competence in the talk. It helps staff understand how auditors are chosen and why someone from another area may audit their process.

Adapting the Talk

The record and the guidance are both fully editable, so add your audit schedule, the names of your trained auditors and the checklist you use for each audit. Update the talk description if you cover extra points.

Keeping the Training Record

File the signed record with your training records, or log the talk against each attendee in a training matrix, so you can show who has been briefed and when.

Who Is It For?

Staff who carry out internal audits, and anyone whose area is audited. Run it when auditors are appointed, before an audit programme starts and as a refresher for the wider team.

Delivering Talks Regularly

Short, regular talks keep the way the business works in front of people. Run this one alongside the other general training talks to build awareness one topic at a time.

Related Training Talks

Other training talks that work alongside this one:

• TT-1-11 Management Review and Objectives
• TT-1-12 ISO Standards and ISO Certification
• TT-1-04 Problems, Complaints and Customer Care