Compliance & Auditing

Internal Auditing - Fundamental Principles & Concepts

Curated byNdulamiso Mamburu LinkedIn

Works at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) · Pursuing Taxation degree · How we curate →

Provider

Alison

Format

100% Online

Level

Certificate

Duration

2-3 Hours

Course Overview

In the South African context, internal audit is not optional for many organisations. Government departments, municipalities, and listed companies are all required to maintain internal audit functions under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) or the Companies Act. This course gives you a clear, accessible introduction to the discipline without requiring a full accounting qualification first, making it a smart early investment for anyone considering this career path.

Learn the core principles and concepts essential for effective internal business auditing.

Internal audit is the independent function within an organisation that evaluates whether financial controls, risk management processes, and governance frameworks are working as they should. In South Africa, the King IV Report on Corporate Governance places significant emphasis on the role of internal audit in ensuring organisational accountability. This course introduces the fundamental principles that underpin effective internal audit practice. You will learn how the internal audit function fits within the broader governance structure of an organisation, how to plan and execute a basic audit assignment, and how to document findings and communicate them to management. The course also covers the key frameworks that guide internal audit work, including the IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) International Standards.

•Study Compliance & Auditing at your own pace, anytime and anywhere.
•Earn a free certificate from Internal Auditing - Fundamental Principles & Concepts.
•Accessible on any device (desktop, tablet, or mobile).

Who Should Enrol?

Accounting graduates and finance students exploring a career in audit or compliance, bookkeepers and accountants looking to transition into a risk and controls function, and finance professionals in public sector entities where internal audit is mandatory.

English Language Requirements

A basic proficiency in reading and understanding English is recommended to fully benefit from the material.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:

✓Explain the purpose and scope of the internal audit function within an organisation.
✓Identify the key components of an effective internal control framework.
✓Plan a basic internal audit assignment using a risk-based approach.
✓Document audit evidence and prepare a clear, factual audit finding.
✓Understand the reporting relationship between internal audit and the audit committee.

This certificate is an entry point into one of the most stable and in-demand areas of South African corporate finance. Internal audit roles exist in banks, government entities, retail groups, and all JSE-listed companies. Junior Internal Auditor and Compliance Trainee are typical starting positions.

Why We Recommend This Course

"In the South African context, internal audit is not optional for many organisations. Government departments, municipalities, and listed companies are all required to maintain internal audit functions under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) or the Companies Act. This course gives you a clear, accessible introduction to the discipline without requiring a full accounting qualification first, making it a smart early investment for anyone considering this career path."

Alison

Global Online Learning Platform

Alison is one of the world's largest free learning platforms, offering over 4,000 courses across Accounting and other disciplines to millions of learners in 195 countries. All Alison courses, including Internal Auditing - Fundamental Principles & Concepts, are completely free to study, with optional paid certificates available upon completion. Alison is certified by the CPD Standards Office (UK), meaning certificates earned are recognised by employers globally.