To develop, regulate and promote an internationally recognized accountancy profession that upholds public interest through capacity building, advocacy, innovation and sustainable practices.
INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under Accountants Act, Laws of Kenya)
THE INTERNAL AUDIT MASTERCLASS (MANDATORY TRAINING)
Theme: Driving Organizational Resilience, Governance Excellence, and Sustainable Value Through Advanced Internal Audit Practice
Date: 20th – 24th April 2026
Time: 09.00am-03.30pm
Venue: Eka Hotel, Eldoret
(This is one of the mandatory trainings for practicing certificate consideration)
OVERVIEW
Internal audit is a fundamental pillar of corporate governance, entrusted with safeguarding organizational assets, strengthening internal control systems, and supporting boards and management in fulfilling their mandates. In today’s volatile and competitive environment, internal auditors must possess a deep understanding of the business—its mission, strategic priorities, risks, and operating landscape. At the heart of the profession lies a guiding question: Are we governing, managing, and executing in ways that protect and create sustainable value?
Global and regional dynamics are reshaping organizational realities. Technological disruption, digital transformation, cybersecurity threats, heightened regulatory demands, ESG reporting expectations, shifting markets, and economic uncertainties have intensified stakeholder calls for transparency, accountability, and timely insights into emerging risks. This evolution has elevated internal audit from a compliance-oriented function to a forward-looking, strategic partner in organizational resilience and governance excellence.
The release of the Global Internal Audit Standards (2025) marks a milestone for the profession. These harmonized standards set enhanced expectations around ethical conduct, independence, objectivity, competence, and audit quality. They emphasize robust assurance methodologies, data-driven audits, agile practices, and a sharpened focus on risk management and governance effectiveness. To remain relevant, internal auditors must integrate advanced analytics, digital auditing tools, ESG considerations, and strategic insight into their work.
Across Kenya and the wider region, organizations face economic pressures, governance reforms, digital adoption, climate-related risks, and tightening regulatory oversight. This dynamic environment demands internal auditors who can provide credible assurance, exercise sound judgment, maintain professional skepticism, and deliver evidence-based insights to executive leadership. Effectiveness is now measured not only by the quality of findings, but by the ability to anticipate risks, guide decision-making, and enhance long-term organizational value.
Leading an internal audit function requires a delicate balance of technical excellence, diplomacy, and leadership. With teams often comprising both seasoned auditors and newcomers, leaders must manage expectations, uphold audit quality, nurture talent, and safeguard independence. Navigating organizational politics, communicating difficult messages, and aligning with governance priorities call for maturity, resilience, and strategic acumen.
Internal audit functions must also continually assess their readiness and relevance. This involves strengthening competencies, adopting new technologies, advancing methodologies, and conducting periodic quality assessments. A progressive audit function embraces continuous improvement, fosters ethical culture, and reinforces accountability across the organization.
Against this backdrop, ICPAK has organized the Internal Audit Masterclass, a five-day program bringing together internal auditors, audit committee members, governance practitioners, and professionals from diverse sectors. The Masterclass will explore the Global Internal Audit Standards (2025), advanced risk-based auditing, governance collaboration, ESG assurance, cybersecurity, digital auditing, and strategic advisory capabilities. Designed to be highly experiential, the program combines expert-led presentations, case studies, scenario-based learning, practical demonstrations, and peer exchange. Participants will gain insights into what works, what does not, and what defines excellence in modern internal audit practice, while networking widely with peers from both public and private sectors.
By the end of the program, participants will be equipped to elevate internal audit quality, reinforce governance frameworks, deliver value-adding assurance, and support decision-making processes that advance transparency, accountability, and sustainable performance. The Masterclass underscores ICPAK’s commitment to strengthening the internal audit profession and empowering practitioners to meet the demands of an increasingly complex risk environment.
The Masterclass is divided into the following five modules covering key fundamental learning areas:
| DAY | MODULE | TOPICS | KEY AREAS TO BE COVERED |
| DAY 1 | 1. Understanding the Global and Kenyan Audit Landscape | An overview of the global and Kenyan internal audit landscape | 1. Global trends and emerging audit risks 2. Kenyan audit environment: regulatory, economic, and technological factors 3. Strategic relevance of internal audit |
| Introduction to Global Internal Audit Standards (2025) | 1. Key principles and components of the 2025 Standards 2. Differences from previous standards 3. Implications for audit planning, execution, and reporting |
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| Developing Internal Audit Frameworks
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1. Implementation process for internal audit frameworks 2. Roles of boards, management, and audit committees 3. Building a risk-aware and audit-focused organizational culture |
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| DAY 2 |
2. Governance, Ethics, and Risk-Based Auditing |
Strengthening audit governance
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1.Board and committee oversight roles 2. Ethical leadership, independence, and objectivity3. Audit charters and professional standards4.Organizational culture, tone at the top, and control environment |
| Advanced Risk-Based Audit Methodologies | 1.Identifying operational, strategic, and emerging risks 2. Risk scoring, mapping, and prioritization 3. Heat maps and risk matrices |
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| Embedding Internal Audit into Strategy | 1. Linking audit outcomes to organizational objectives 2. Integrating audit insights into decision-making 3. Measuring audit impact on organizational performance |
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| DAY 3 | 3. Digital Transformation and Internal Audit | Technology-enabled auditing | 1. Leveraging data analytics, AI, and automation 2. Cybersecurity and data governance 3. Continuous monitoring and reporting |
| ESG and Sustainability Assurance | 1. Providing assurance on ESG disclosures – ISSA 5000 2. Ethical, social, and environmental considerations 3. Aligning ESG audit with strategy |
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| Practical Case Studies | 1. Lessons from private and public sector audits 2. Real-world scenarios and challenges 3. Tools for audit quality improvement |
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| DAY 4 | 4. Crisis Management, Reporting, and Advisory | Business continuity and crisis management | 1. Audit’s role in disaster recovery and incident response 2. Ensuring organizational resilience 3. Incorporating crisis management into audit plans |
| Advanced Reporting & Assurance | 1. Communicating risk insights effectively 2. Clear and concise reporting 3. Compliance and regulatory alignment |
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| Strategic Advisory for Management | 1. Providing value-added guidance 2. Supporting governance and risk decisions 3. Building trust with executives and stakeholder |
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| DAY 5 | 5. Future of Internal Audit & Practical Application | Trends, Innovations & the Future of Internal Audit | 1. Agile and future-ready audit functions 2. Preparing for emerging risks and disruptions 3. Strengthening internal audit’s role as a strategic partner |
| Managing the Internal Audit Function | 1.   Strategic planning of internal audit
2.   Resource management 3.   Quality assurance and improvement program (QAIP) 4.   Performance measurement |
TARGET AUDIENCE:
ICPAK Members, Internal Auditors, Board Directors, Professionals working in different sectors, Accountants in Academia, current and potential members of ICPAK, members of other professional associations.
This Master Class is one of the mandatory trainings for Practicing Certificate consideration. It is also open to all Internal Audit Professionals, Audit Committee Members, Senior Management of Organizations, CEOs and Boards.
YOUR INVESTMENT:
This Master Class shall be provided at a cost of Kes.95,000 per delegate. The cost caters for seminar fees, seminar giveaways and learning materials and a hard copy certificate of attendance. Delegates are encouraged to make own travel and accommodation arrangements.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS:
Members of ICPAK and other reciprocating professional bodies will earn 20 CPD points upon successfully attending the Master Class.
ONLINE BOOKING:
We call on all 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 +254 719 074 000, or via email to marketing@icpak.com
To develop, regulate and promote an internationally recognized accountancy profession that upholds public interest through capacity building, advocacy, innovation and sustainable practices.
