As the business landscape rapidly evolves into a new era that is driven by radical changes and systemic challenges coupled with new risks emerging, the internal audit profession must adapt at the same speed to stay relevant and effective. In this Session, the current state of the internal audit profession at the global space will be described. What The IIA has been doing to keep the internal audit professionals updated, adapted and equipped to be able to navigate the current risk landscape and respond to the expanding expectations from stakeholders will also be highlighted. And, finally, the efforts and initiatives of The IIA to shape the future of the internal audit profession will be shared.

*Program & Topics are subject to change

Traditional audit methods often rely on manual processes, which can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human error. By harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internal Audit (IA) can can evolve and revolutionize the approach, unlock new opportunities for increased efficiency and effectiveness, and offer greater value to the organization. And, while AI is expected to enable or force the transformation of IA, the risks associated with said technology are expected to be proactively controlled and managed.

*Program & Topics are subject to change

Cybersecurity and data security remain to be the top priority risks according to various surveys. While cybercrimes and data security breaches have been increasing exponentially and the emerging digital ecosystem has become treacherous, build-up of competencies and adaption of the appropriate approaches and tools are yet to catch up for many Internal Audit functions. Internal Audit needs to step up to earn the seat at the table on matters concerning cybersecurity and data security risks. In this session, the latest developments in these risks, and some guidance not only to adequately manage the challenges and avoid the pitfalls to ensure comprehensive and value adding audit, but also the IA roles in contributing to the efforts of the organizations to handle the threats will be discussed.

*Program & Topics are subject to change

The updates on the Internal Audit: Vision 2035 with the theme “Creating our Future Together” of The IIA will be extensively tackled. In this session, participants will be apprised on the approach employed to proactively define the future of the Internal Audit profession across the world. Since the future of the profession must be ascertained, discussions on the specific methods and concrete roadmap to enhance the value of the IA profession and to achieve the vision by Year 2035 can also be expected.

*subject to change

The results of The IIA’s “Risk in Focus” Research Project which has been started early this year covering the Asia Pacific Region shall be presented. The project entailed gathering the collective views of the Chief Audit Executives and other heads of internal audit functions on the key challenges and risks faced by organizations, businesses, and sectors or industries across the region. As an essential resource for preparing an audit plan, the covering report is expected to drive appropriate focus on the top risks identified as facing organizations in the region. The report can be shared with Senior Management while a briefing slide deck can be used to discuss the regional risks with the Board. Together with the country-specific Risk in Focus report, it is expected that further conversations and subsequent forums will be held by the concerned Institutes.

*subject to change

In an ever-evolving business landscape driven by technological advancements coupled with regulatory, social, and environmental risk factors, the role of internal auditors in providing insight, foresight, and assurance that risk management, governance, and control process are working effectively and efficiently to help an organization achieve its strategic objectives is crucial. And while many organizations find and appreciate the value and work of internal auditors, a vast majority of internal audit functions find themselves constrained still to dutifully carry out their mandate given certain circumstances such as without the requisite stature and authority, inappropriate reporting line, not invited at the table, restricted in scope or level of scrutiny, with limited budget and resources, etc.

But when a crisis happens, or such several corporate scandals that occurred across the globe to date, the Board and Senior Management or even a few regulatory bodies and the general public would ask: where were the internal auditors?

In this session, let us explore the challenges that can compromise the integrity of the internal audit profession. Find answers: Are there grounds to penalize internal auditors (and be used as a scapegoat) when Management fails? Is it time to update, amend, or improve internal audit laws, regulations or public and corporate policies? Get deeper understanding and some insights on what can be the sound strategies and approaches to address these issues.

*Program & Topics are subject to change

ESG factors have become crucial for businesses worldwide as stakeholders demand greater transparency and accountability, especially around sustainability. With regulators worldwide introducing new ESG guidelines and requirements, it can be challenging for businesses to keep up with the evolving regulatory landscape. This topic will allow participants to discuss real-world cases and exchange ideas and insights into the emerging ESG best practices, the key steps to proactively adapt them to stay ahead, and how internal auditors can support organizations' ESG journey.

*Program & Topics are subject to change

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the importance of auditing business culture has become increasingly evident. A company's culture serves as the foundation upon which its operations, strategies, and relationships are built. It encompasses the values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors that guide employees' actions and decisions. Understanding and assessing the intricacies of business culture is crucial for organizations to align their objectives and achieve sustainable success.

The topic explores the significance and value of auditing business culture in relation to attaining business objectives and overall success. It delves into the ways in which a comprehensive cultural audit can yield actionable insights that drive positive change within an organization.

The need to emphasize the influential role of business culture in shaping employee behavior and organizational outcomes is paramount. It highlights how a strong and aligned culture can foster employee engagement, improve productivity, enhance customer satisfaction, and strengthen a company's reputation.

Next, it explores the potential challenges that can arise from a misaligned or unhealthy culture, such as low employee morale, high turnover rates, decreased innovation, and reputational damage. These consequences underscore the criticality of regularly assessing business culture.
The importance of involving both employees and leadership in the audit process is also emphasized. By conducting a cultural audit, organizations gain a comprehensive understanding of their current culture, identify gaps between desired and actual cultural attributes, and uncover potential areas for improvement. These insights enable companies to implement targeted interventions and initiatives that align with their strategic objectives.

It also highlights the role of leadership in driving cultural change. It emphasizes the significance of leadership commitment and active participation in the cultural audit process. Leaders who prioritize culture and actively work towards aligning it with business objectives set the tone for the entire organization, fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Auditing business culture provides organizations with a clear roadmap for achieving their business objectives and overall success. By leveraging the insights gained from cultural audits, organizations can cultivate a strong, aligned, and inclusive culture that fuels innovation, fosters employee satisfaction, enhances customer experiences, and ultimately drives sustainable growth.

Organizations that invest in understanding, assessing, and nurturing their culture are better positioned to navigate challenges,
build resilient teams, and achieve long-term prosperity in an ever-changing business landscape.

*Program & Topics are subject to change

In today's increasingly interconnected and competitive business landscape, organizations face the constant challenge of attracting, developing, and retaining top talent to gain a global edge. This topic delves into the importance of upgrading talent management strategies to thrive in the global marketplace. There will also be valuable insights, practical strategies, and innovative approaches to optimize talent management practices. Attendees will also gain a practical understanding of the key drivers behind talent management's pivotal roles in global competitiveness and explore the latest trends and practices as the future of work continues to evolve.

*Program & Topics are subject to change

The International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) provides internal audit professionals worldwide with a common language and authoritative guidance that help ensure quality, integrity, and consistency in the professional practice of internal auditing. The IIA Global embarked on a multi-year project to simplify the structure of the IPPF, clarify and align all elements, ensure that the Standards and Guidance are timely, practical, applicable, and address the emerging topics, communicate and advocate the Standards not only to internal audit professionals but also to stakeholders and regulators, and enhance internal audit performance and quality and preserve and enhance organizational value.

In this Session, let us listen to what these changes are, as embodied in the draft Global Internal Audit Standards, how these changes affect and elevate the value of the internal audit profession, and more!

*Program & Topics are subject to change

The rapid pace of technological advancements and digital transformation initiatives has challenged internal audit professionals to keep up and assess the associated risks and controls adequately. The integration of digital technologies into all or most of the aspects of an organization’s operations, fundamentally changing how it operates and delivers value to its customers and other stakeholders is an ever-evolving area of focus not only for businesses but also for internal audit professionals. Digital transformation mainly involves adoption of new technologies, rethinking of processes, leveraging of data to optimize performance, and enhancement of customer experiences. In this session, some techniques to adequately assess whether an organization’s digital initiatives or transformation projects are well-governed, secure and aligned with business objectives to fulfill the crucial role that they play will be highlighted. Moreover, the expectation from internal audit professionals to continuously update their skill sets and capabilities as technology continues to evolve will be discussed.

*subject to change

In today's complex and rapidly evolving business landscape, the threat of fraud looms large, posing substantial risks to organizations of all sizes and industries.

This Session aims to equip professionals across the corporate spectrum with the knowledge and tools they need to combat fraud effectively. Let us explore the critical aspects of fraud detection, prevention, and investigation, catering to the needs of board members, C-suites, and internal auditors. Gain a better understanding of the intricacies of fraud, its various forms, and the strategies to safeguard an organization's financial integrity.


*subject to change

In today's increasingly conscious business landscape, accurate and reliable reporting of sustainability initiatives and performance is paramount. Companies worldwide recognize the critical value of effectively managing their sustainability reporting processes to build trust with stakeholders and meet evolving regulatory requirements.

In this session, the recently issued COSO guidance on sustainability reporting and how to effectively implement and integrate the new guidance into existing sustainability reporting processes will be explored. More importantly, insights from practical examples and successful implementation of the guidance will be shared.

*subject to change

Covered persons are expected to implement robust risk management strategies and compliance mechanism, to protect themselves and the broader system from the risks associated with Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and Proliferation Financing (PF). By serving as the independent and objective assurance mechanism within the organization, Internal Audit plays a vital role in ensuring an organization’s compliance with the laws and regulations and preventing illicit activities to transpire. In this session, the various roles and expectations from the internal audit or 3rd line role, including the latest risk trends and patterns in financial crimes given the increased digitalization, key typologies and red flags, financial sanctions, etc. will be discussed. The internal audit function as a crucial help in safeguarding the organization against the ML, TF and PF risks, strengthening the controls, and contributing to the overall integrity of the financial system by actively fulfilling its roles will be emphasized also.

*subject to change

Internal Audit plays a critical role in the attainment of the strategic objectives of an organization. Internal audit contributes to the success of the business by aligning its audit priorities with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. With this, an Internal audit function needs to elevate its approach to cover the organizational strategies-related risks. From purely control-centric to a more strategic approach, internal audit must align with the organization’s strategic priorities, enabling the function to provide more meaningful insights and recommendations that drive value creation. In this session, the value of effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration to gain sufficient understanding of the strategic initiatives and ensure alignment of the internal audit plan will be extensively discussed.

The immense power and potential of data-driven decision making can drive organizational success and innovation. However, there are ethical challenges and considerations associated with making decisions in today's data-driven world, such as the data privacy concerns, bias, fairness, and the likelihood of being used for unintended purposes. In this session, understanding of the ethical dimensions that must be considered to ensure responsible and morally sound decision-making processes will be provided. The strategies for embedding ethical measures into organizational decision-making processes and fostering a mindset of ethical awareness and responsibility will also be highlighted.
*subject to change

With the growing threats in cyberspace, there is a need to shift from reactive approaches to proactive strategies in cybersecurity. Organizations must move beyond merely responding to cyber incidents and focus on building a resilient cybersecurity framework that anticipates and addresses emerging threats. In this session, the participants will learn how internal audit can actively contribute to strengthening cybersecurity resilience. It explores the key areas where internal audit can play a proactive role, such as risk assessment, control design and testing, incident response planning, and continuous monitoring of cyber risks. By adopting proactive measures, collaborating effectively, and integrating cybersecurity considerations into their work, internal audit professionals can enhance their organizations' ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats in a proactive and resilient manner.

*subject to change

In today's dynamic and complex public sector landscape, accountability, transparency, and effective governance have become paramount for fostering public trust and ensuring optimal use of public resources. To address these concerns, public sector internal audit professionals can step up to provide added value and help organizations enhance and foster effectiveness in these processes. In this sector-focused session, public internal audit professionals and professionals shall gain a comprehensive understanding of performance governance frameworks and risk-based audit methodologies. Practical tools and techniques to enhance accountability, transparency, and effective governance within their organizations will also be discussed. And, more importantly, sharing and exchange of leading practices and lessons learned from experienced professionals in the field shall be facilitated.

*subject to change

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, there is a need for internal audit’s approach to also evolve and stay responsive to the current expectations. The traditional audit methods have limitations in addressing the speed and complexity of today's business challenges, hence the need to adapt agile auditing as a transformative solution that promotes flexibility, greater stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. By adapting the agile approach, internal audit professionals can foster greater sharpness and value delivery, enabling them to better address the evolving needs and risks of their organizations in today's fast-paced business landscape. In this session, the challenges and leading practices in implementing agile audit as a methodology that enables delivery of value at a faster pace, while adapting to changing circumstances and priorities will be shared.

*subject to change

In today's digital era, there is a challenge on how to effectively communicate to stakeholders the relevant, complete and reliable information with the increasing volume and complexity of data. Data alone is not enough to drive understanding and action. It is the power of storytelling that brings data to life and makes it relatable and actionable. In this session, the participants shall be able to explore the transformative potential of data storytelling in effectively communicating complex data insights and highlighting meaningful impact. In addition, the art of crafting compelling narratives using data, showcasing how data storytelling can be a powerful tool for decision-making, influencing stakeholders, and inspiring action will be illustrated.

*subject to change

Organizations regardless of industry, size, years of existence are faced with reputational risk that may relate to ethical lapses, compliance violations, negative media coverage, customer complaints, 3rd party relationships, social media backlash, etc. Through the audit conducted regularly and continuously, Internal Audit helps proactively protect an organization’s reputation and build trust with stakeholders. In this session, information needed and techniques in assessing an organization’s ability to identify, mitigate, and respond to threats to its reputation will be shared. This will cover reputational risk governance, mitigation strategies including crisis management plans, communication protocols, and contingency measures, risk awareness of employees and their role in safeguarding the reputation of the organization, among others. Some of the insights into the organization’s strategies and processes for safeguarding its reputation and guidance in identifying opportunities for improvement will also be emphasized.

*subject to change

In recent years, we have seen a number of geopolitical events that have significantly affected the global supply chains. When a geopolitical event disrupts a supply chain, it can have a ripple effect throughout the global economy. Businesses and consumers need to fully understand the risks posed by these events and take steps to mitigate their impact. This session shall shed light on the criticality of geopolitics in an organization’s supply chain ecosystem and on how internal audit can assess comprehensively the geopolitical risk. These are all needed to be able to provide valuable insights and recommendations to strengthen the organization's ability to withstand and recover from disruptions caused by geopolitical events. By leveraging on their unique position and skill set to deliver value adding audit, internal audit professionals can contribute to the risk management strategies, enhancement of supply chain resilience, and safeguarding of organizational success in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.

*subject to change

The emerging technologies are reshaping the business landscape. The diverse range of technologies have since been revolutionizing the business processes, transforming the traditional audit approaches and reshaping the role of internal audit professionals. Internal audit needs to stay ahead of the curve and proactively embrace technology to meet the evolving needs and expectations of stakeholders. Internal audit professionals must adapt, evolve, and harness the power of technology to enhance their effectiveness and value. This session will help internal audit professionals embrace the technology-driven future and take proactive steps to equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge. It highlights the opportunities for internal audit professionals to add strategic value, become trusted advisors, and contribute to the overall success of their organizations in this digital age. In this session, how digital revolution has enabled internal audit professionals to be more data-driven, proactive and strategic in their approach will be described. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the need for internal audit professionals to embrace technology, adapt their skill sets, and remain agile to effectively address emerging risks to be able to contribute to their organization’s success will be highlighted.

*subject to change

The use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in internal audit has gained significant attention in recent years. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize audit processes, enhance efficiency, and improve audit quality. RPA can be used in automating repetitive and rule-based audit tasks, enabling internal auditors to focus on more strategic and value-added activities. This session will discuss the benefits and potential application of RPA in different areas of internal audit, including the challenges and considerations in implementing RPA in internal audit.

*subject to change

Crypto business is another area that poses opportunity for internal audit professionals to expand their available skills and capabilities. Today, not many audit professionals can confidently assert their understanding of the crypto technologies and the supporting business processes. In this session, participants will gain basic knowledge on the crypto business model and goals, the underlying technologies and key business processes, the governing regulations, the key risks, and the control and risk management processes. Any available industry standards and assessment framework may also be highlighted.

With the increasingly diverse work environment, auditing diversity and inclusion has been part of the evolving expectations from Internal Audit. Organizations are expected to have systems, policies and programs that foster a positive and inclusive workplace and promote fairness, inclusivity, and respect regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, etc. In this session, the importance of determining and assessing biases and discriminatory practices that may exist and possibly impact recruitment and retention of diverse talent and work performance will be emphasized. Pointers in understanding diversity and inclusion as these affect employee productivity and satisfaction and identifying opportunities for improvement e.g. creating a more welcoming workplace where employees feel valued and empowered will be discussed. Available guidance and tools needed to drive meaningful change, enhance employee engagement, and unlock the benefits of diverse and inclusive workforce will also be shared.
*subject to change

With the Audit Committee providing oversight and Internal Audit rendering independent assurance to the Board and Senior Management, their roles complement in enhancing the assurance function, promoting controls and risk management, and strengthening overall governance within the organization. Internal Audit's independent and objective perspective and expertise complement the Audit Committee's oversight function, ultimately enhancing stakeholder confidence. In this session, how the strong synergy between Internal Audit and Audit Committee fosters culture of accountability, transparency, and effective risk management and enhances the overall effectiveness of the control environment and contributes to the organization’s long-term success and sustainability will be highlighted. The session will also cover how Internal Audit shall be able to elevate the level of assurance it provides, through a strong partnership with the Audit Committee to ensure alignment with the objectives and expectations of the Audit Committee.

*subject to change

This session aim to equip internal auditors and participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively combat fraud in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This session will address the unique challenges faced by auditors and organizations in the digital age and provide practical strategies to identify, prevent, and mitigate digital fraud risks. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts and fellow auditors and learn from real-world examples. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and strategies to navigate the complex digital fraud landscape and effectively safeguard their organizations against digital fraud threats.

*subject to change

In this session, participants will discover the essential and practical strategies and techniques for conducting successful audits of third-party risk management. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical applications, attendees will gain a deep understanding of the unique challenges and intricacies involved in assessing third-party risks. In this session, various auditing methodologies and tools specifically tailored to evaluate the effectiveness of third-party risk management frameworks will be explored. Participants will learn how to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with external vendors, suppliers, and partners. With a focus on enhancing risk mitigation and regulatory compliance, the session will equip participants with practical skills to evaluate control environments, monitor performance, and establish effective remediation processes.

*subject to change

Small internal audit functions often face challenges in achieving its audit goals and plans, including pursuing sufficient scope or coverage of the top risks and observing the appropriate audit frequency with limited resources. However, this doesn't mean that they cannot deliver big value audits. Going beyond the traditional audit practices, small internal audit teams should think outside the box, adapt to change, and embrace innovation. Internal audit professionals should likewise be empowered to be strategic thinkers, problem solvers, and value creators, regardless of their team size. In this session, the innovative strategies, practical techniques, and efficient approaches tailored fit for small audit teams will be highlighted. The power of resource optimization, sound planning, and strategic execution to uncover hidden opportunities and mitigate risks will also be discussed.
*subject to change