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Strategic Value and Leadership in Internal Audit

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera

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Overview

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This course will focus on developing advanced leadership skills and enhancing internal audit strategies to align with the evolving demands of the modern business environment. The modules will empower you to manage high-performing audit teams, drive continuous improvement, and position internal audit as a forward-thinking, value-adding function within your organization.

Syllabus

Course Introduction and Module 1: Leading and Managing Audit Teams

In this module, you will focus on the leadership responsibilities involved in managing an internal audit team and shaping its culture, performance, and long-term impact. You will examine how audit leaders build high-performing teams by aligning staffing, development, and communication practices with organizational risk and stakeholder expectations.

Module 2: Internal Controls and Process Improvement

This module builds your skills to assess risks and design the right internal controls to meet business needs, identify control issues that can impact the organization’s success, and drive meaningful improvements that strengthen organizational resilience. You will apply frameworks such as the COSO Internal Controls Integrated Framework to assess risk and controls, diagnose deficiencies, and help the business improve while considering ethical, cultural, and regulatory implications.

Module 3: Internal Audit Strategy and Innovation

In this module, you will explore how internal audit leaders build future-ready functions that add strategic value in a rapidly evolving risk landscape. You will examine how audit teams can operate as trusted business advisors by aligning talent, technology, and audit strategy with organizational priorities.

Module 4: Continuous Improvement and Value Creation

This module strengthens your ability to lead a modern internal audit function that improves continuously, uses technology effectively, and remains aligned to evolving stakeholder expectations. You will examine how internal audit managers can apply the Global Internal Audit Standards to drive quality, establish meaningful performance measures, and use internal and external assessments to sustain credibility over time.