The 7th External Audit Practitioners Forum (Mandatory Training)

THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under the Accountants Act, Laws of Kenya)

The 7th External Audit Practitioners Forum (Mandatory Training)
Date: 1st-2nd April 2026
Time: 09.00am-03.30pm
Venue: Virtual
This is one of the Mandatory Trainings for practicing certificate consideration

Overview

External audit plays a critical role in enhancing public trust, strengthening governance, and ensuring the integrity of financial reporting across all sectors. In today’s environment, auditors are expected to go beyond traditional compliance approaches and adopt a strategic, risk-focused, and value-driven methodology. The profession is shaped by regulatory reforms, complex business models, digitization, sustainability considerations, and increasing stakeholder demands for transparency and accountability.

Modern audit practice requires professionals who exercise sound judgment, uphold ethical standards, and maintain strong quality management frameworks. Auditors must anticipate emerging risks, leverage technology and data analytics, and deliver assurance that supports governance, organizational resilience, and informed decision-making. Continuous professional development is therefore essential to navigate evolving standards, reporting requirements, and heightened expectations around skepticism, documentation, and independence.

The Forum will equip practitioners with advanced insights, technical expertise, and practical tools to excel in this demanding environment. The forum covers quality management systems, risk-based audit planning, ethical considerations, technology-driven audit methodologies, regulatory updates, ESG reporting, and lessons from common audit deficiencies. Participants will gain practical guidance to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of engagements while complying with local and global standards.

As external auditing safeguards the public interest, auditors must be future-oriented, ethically grounded, and aligned with international best practices. This forum provides a platform for engagement with peers, regulators, and thought leaders, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening the ability to deliver high-quality, value-adding audits that reinforce the credibility of the profession.

The virtual symposium will highlight key aspects relating to the following:

1. Audit Quality and Regulatory Developments

• Updates from IAASB, IFAC, and local regulators
  • Expectations under ISQM 1 & ISQM 2
  • Key lessons from recent reviews and inspections
  • Practical implications for audit firms and engagement teams
  • Common deficiencies and how to address them

2. Risk-Based Audit Planning and Execution

• Identifying and responding to significant risks
  • Designing evidence-based, risk-focused procedures
  • Applying professional skepticism throughout the audit cycle
  • Audit documentation and working paper considerations
• Coordination of team responsibilities and supervision

3. Ethics, Independence, and Professional Judgment

• Deep dive into the IESBA Code of Ethics
  • Managing threats, safeguards, and complex ethical dilemmas
  • Strengthening independence and objectivity in practice
  • Ethical decision-making in high-risk scenarios
  • Role of professional judgment in audit conclusions

4. Technology and Data Analytics in Auditing

• Using data analytics in risk assessment and testing
  • Automation, AI, and digital tools in modern audit practice
  • Understanding IT controls and cybersecurity implications
  • Integrating technology into audit evidence gathering
  • Data quality and integrity considerations

5. Impact of Sustainability and ESG Reporting on Audit Practice

• ESG and sustainability reporting considerations
  • Overview of IFRS S1 & S2 sustainability disclosure standards
• Challenges in auditing non-financial and ESG data
• Integrating ESG considerations into audit risk assessments
• Emerging assurance standards for sustainability reporting

6. Sustainability Assurance Engagements

• Unpacking International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000
• Types of assurance: limited vs. reasonable.
• Key procedures and differences from traditional financial audits.
• Independence, ethical requirements, and assurance provider qualifications.
• Common challenges encountered during sustainability assurance engagements.

Target Audience:

Private and Public Audit Practitioners, Public Sector Accountants, Chief Finance Officers, Finance Directors and Managers, Tax Experts, Transaction Advisors, Engagement Partners and Key Audit staff, Banking, Extractive and SMEs sector accountants, Internal Auditors, Tax Practitioners, Professionals working in County Governments and private sectors, Academia, employees of the NPO Sector.

Continuous Professional Development Units (CPD Units):

Members of ICPAK and reciprocating professional bodies will be awarded 10 CPD Units upon successfully attending each of the Conference sessions.

Cost:

Charges for the training will be Kes10,000/= which will cover workshop fees, materials, and e-certificates of attendance.

Online Booking:

We call on symposium participants to note that booking is available only online at www.icpak.com/events and will close two hours before the training session.  Delegates are reminded to note that online booking for training sessions is MANDATORY.   This is available either online at www.icpak.com/events  or on the ICPAK Live – A smart phone based application that is available from google store.

National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Reimbursement:

The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke)

Further requests can be channeled to us via telephone calls on +254 719 074 100,  or via email to marketing@icpak.com.

We encourage members to regularly visit our website https://www.icpak.com for updates.