Date: 18 February 2027

Timing: 9am – 5pm

Language: English

CPE points: 7

Deadline to register: 12 February 2027

Trainer name: John Chessire

Overview

Today internal auditors are not recruited purely for their technical ability to carry out rigorous audits. They must also understand business processes, organisational structures and regulatory environments while building effective relationships with stakeholders. Effective interpersonal skills are therefore critical to successful internal auditing. 

Interviews are among the most common situations where internal auditors apply communication and interpersonal skills. They take place throughout the audit lifecycle, from planning through reporting. Without effective interviewing skills, internal auditors are unlikely to maximise their impact or effectively influence organisational behaviour and risk management practices. 

This interactive course explains the importance of interviewing within the internal audit process and provides practical techniques to conduct successful interviews and deliver stronger audit assurance and professional insight.

Who Should Attend?

This course is relevant for:

• Internal auditors
• Audit managers
• Chief Audit Executives
• Professionals from private, public and voluntary sectors
• Auditors with varying levels of experience
• Anyone wishing to improve their interviewing techniques and stay current with professional developments and CPE requirements. 

Course Description

This course covers the following topics:

• Introduction
• Types of internal audit interviews
• Structuring the interview
• Establishing rapport
• Effective questioning
• Effective listening
• Body language
• Dealing with typical interview situations
• Questioning and fact-finding strategies 

The training includes facilitator input, practical examples, discussions and exercises designed to reinforce learning and build upon participants' existing experience. 

Trainer Bio

John Chesshire, CFIIA, QIAL, CRMA, CIA, CISA

John Chesshire has more than 27 years of experience in internal audit, risk management, governance and business improvement. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors in the UK and has served as an Independent Internal Audit Committee Chair. He currently serves on two Audit Committees and acts as a part-time internal auditor for an international credit ratings agency while also conducting external quality assessments of internal audit functions worldwide. 

Previously, he served as Chief Assurance Officer for the States of Guernsey. His clients have included FTSE-listed companies, multinational organisations, government bodies, charities, professional services firms and international organisations including NATO, OECD, ACCA and various UN agencies. He has also been a principal examiner for the Institute of Risk Management and a visiting lecturer at Birmingham City University.

John has delivered numerous highly rated courses for IIA Luxembourg and remains a strong supporter of the Institute.