Writing Techniques for Auditors and Risk Management Professionals

Auditors and risk management professionals are often the link between the evidence and senior management. This 60-minute audit report writing training focuses on building the written argument rather than on grammar or style.

You'll look at different ways to gather and aggregate data, design analysis that produces meaningful information, and use results from conversations and tests. You'll then learn how to convert data into arguments and structure the written message so that reports, memos and whitepapers influence decisions.

The session ends with tips for delivering your message effectively.

• Interpret audit and test data with confidence
• Design analysis that produces meaningful information
• Aggregate data from tests and conversations
• Turn data and results into persuasive arguments
• Structure reports, memos and whitepapers for senior management
• Deliver difficult messages effectively

• Understanding data
• Designing analysis that provides meaningful information
• Aggregating data
• Converting data into arguments
• Structuring the written message
• Tips for the best delivery

Auditors and risk professionals regularly have to present difficult messages and persuade others to change processes, policies or practices. Facts alone don't do that; they need to be shaped into a clear argument.

This session suits audit managers and directors, chief auditors, auditors, risk and operational risk managers, operations leaders, regulators, bank examiners, quality control staff and corporate trainers.

• Audit Managers and Directors
• Chief Auditors
• Auditors
• Risk Managers
• Operations Leaders
• Operational Risk Managers
• Regulators
• Bank Examiners
• Quality Control Staff
• Corporate Trainers

Jonnie Keith has been in auditing for over 50 years. He retired in 2012 as the Assistant General Manager (AGM) of Internal Audit with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Atlanta, Ga. He served in that capacity for over 10 years and was responsible for administering the overall audit activities. In this position, he was also responsible for the review and approval of all internal audit correspondence including audit reports, executive summaries, internal and external correspondence, etc.

Prior to that, he worked at MARTA as the Operational Audit Manager and Senior Contract Compliance Auditor. He also worked at Norfolk Southern Railway (formerly Southern Railway) as a senior operational auditor and started his career at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as a bank examiner.

Jonnie Keith received a BA degree in Economics from Clark Atlanta University (formerly Clark College). His certifications include:

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)
• Certified Internal Control Auditor (CICA)

He has been a volunteer seminar instructor for the National Office of the Institute of Internal Auditors for several years.