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There are 4 modules in this course
This course prepares students to lead and transform internal audit functions as strategic partners in organizational governance. Students build foundational knowledge of internal auditing, develop risk-based audit plans aligned with strategy, and design effective audit teams supported by strong governance. The course strengthens students’ ability to collect and analyze audit evidence, apply frameworks such as COSO to evaluate controls, and formulate defensible, value-adding recommendations. Students also learn to produce clear audit reports, deliver persuasive presentations, and tailor communication for diverse stakeholders. Finally, the course positions internal audit as an innovative, forward-looking function by addressing emerging risks, technology, and ESG, while embedding continuous improvement, benchmarking, and agility to support long-term organizational impact and readiness for senior leadership roles.
Welcome to Internal Auditing and Organizational Risk! In this module you will get familiar with the course and us. Also, you will examine the foundational role of internal audit within organizations and how it creates value beyond compliance activities. You will explore why internal audit exists, how it supports management and the board through independent assurance, insight, and foresight, and how it contributes to organizational resilience, ethics, and performance.
Welcome to Building the Core: Foundations of Strategic Internal Auditing •2 minutes
Meet Professor Andy Dahle •3 minutes
Meet Professor Ed Rogowski•5 minutes
The Impact of the Gies Community•2 minutes
Purpose and Value of Internal Auditing•3 minutes
Organizational Structure and Reporting Model•3 minutes
Responsibilities of Internal Audit•3 minutes
Core Competencies•2 minutes
Strategies of Leading Internal Audit Functions•2 minutes
Global Internal Audit Managers•5 minutes
Tips and Tricks•11 minutes
7 readings•Total 70 minutes
Syllabus•10 minutes
Coursera Coach•10 minutes
About the Discussion Forums•10 minutes
Online Education at Gies College of Business•10 minutes
Updating Your Profile•10 minutes
Module 1 Overview•10 minutes
Module 1 Readings•10 minutes
8 assignments•Total 90 minutes
Orientation Quiz•30 minutes
Quiz Purpose and Value of Internal Auditing•5 minutes
Quiz Organizational Structure and Reporting Model•5 minutes
Quiz Responsibilities of Internal Audit•5 minutes
Quiz Core Competencies•5 minutes
Quiz Strategies of Leading Internal Audit Functions•5 minutes
Quiz Global Internal Audit Managers•5 minutes
Quiz Foundations of Internal Auditing and Organizational Risk•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Getting to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
Welcome! Please Tell Us About Yourself•15 minutes
Module 2: Risk Analysis and Audit Planning
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will examine how internal audit translates risk understanding into a structured, risk-based annual audit plan that supports organizational strategy and governance. You will explore how to design and manage a comprehensive audit plan, beginning with the development of a complete audit universe and progressing through risk alignment, prioritization, and resource assessment.
What's included
10 videos2 readings10 assignments
Show info about module content
10 videos•Total 35 minutes
Risk Analysis and Audit Planning Introduction•1 minute
Building the Audit Universe•3 minutes
Risk Alignment and Prioritization•4 minutes
Resource Assessment and Scheduling•7 minutes
Communicating the Audit Plan and Building Stakeholder Engagement•4 minutes
Working with External Audit to Coordinate Plan and Maximize Reliance•4 minutes
Incorporating Ethics and Fraud Risk•2 minutes
Collaborating with Other Risk Functions•4 minutes
Using ERM to Shape the Audit Universe and Project Selection•1 minute
Tips and Tricks•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Module 2 Overview•10 minutes
Module 2 Readings•10 minutes
10 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Quiz Risk Analysis and Audit Planning Introduction•30 minutes
Quiz Building the Audit Universe•5 minutes
Quiz Risk Alignment and Prioritization•5 minutes
Quiz Resource Assessment and Scheduling•5 minutes
Quiz Communicating the Audit Plan and Building Stakeholder Engagement•5 minutes
Quiz Working with External Audit to Coordinate Plan and Maximize Reliance•5 minutes
Quiz Incorporating Ethics and Fraud Risk•5 minutes
Quiz Collaborating with Other Risk Functions•5 minutes
Quiz Using ERM to Shape the Audit Universe and Project Selection•5 minutes
Quiz Risk Analysis and Audit Planning•30 minutes
Module 3: Audit Execution
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will examine how internal auditors gather, analyze, and consolidate evidence to form well-supported audit conclusions and recommendations. You will explore how data analytics, process mapping, and qualitative evidence such as interviews and walkthroughs work together to reveal trends, anomalies, control weaknesses, and root causes. Emphasis is placed on moving beyond isolated data points toward integrated, defensible judgments that withstand scrutiny.
What's included
12 videos2 readings12 assignments
Show info about module content
12 videos•Total 48 minutes
Internal Audit Execution Introduction•2 minutes
Leveraging Data to Identify Patterns and Anomalies•4 minutes
Process Understanding and Mapping•3 minutes
Data Analysis and Visualization Techniques•3 minutes
Interpreting Analytic Outputs•3 minutes
Evidence Gathering and Analysis•8 minutes
Drawing Conclusions and Forming Recommendations•7 minutes
Ethical and Regulatory Considerations•4 minutes
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication•4 minutes
Quiz Leveraging Data to Identify Patterns and Anomalies•5 minutes
Quiz Process Understanding and Mapping•5 minutes
Quiz Data Analysis and Visualization Techniques•5 minutes
Quiz Interpreting Analytic Outputs•5 minutes
Quiz Evidence Gathering and Analysis•5 minutes
Quiz Drawing Conclusions and Forming Recommendations•5 minutes
Quiz Ethical and Regulatory Considerations•5 minutes
Quiz Stakeholder Engagement and Communication•5 minutes
Quiz Tracking and Resolving Audit Issues•5 minutes
Quiz Summary of Audit Execution•5 minutes
Quiz Audit Execution•30 minutes
Module 4: Audit Reporting and Communication
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will examine how internal audit reporting transforms audit work into clear, credible communication that drives action and supports effective governance. You will explore how audit reports, summaries, and presentations convey risk, control effectiveness, and remediation priorities in ways that inform decision-making beyond basic compliance requirements.
What's included
16 videos4 readings13 assignments1 plugin
Show info about module content
16 videos•Total 58 minutes
Audit Reporting and Communication Introduction•1 minute
Writing Clear and Actionable Audit Reports•5 minutes
Using Ratings and Maturity Assessments•5 minutes
Issues Summaries - Elevating Insight Across Internal Audit Projects•5 minutes
Audience-Focused Communication Strategies•5 minutes
Using Feedback Throughout the Audit Process•4 minutes
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.