Auditing and Governance Risk and Compliance

Investment Auditing

Investment Auditing focuses on evaluating investment portfolios to ensure compliance, performance, and risk management. This course equips professionals with the skills to assess investment strategies, identify discrepancies, and enhance decision-making processes in financial auditing contexts.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Investment professionals face increasing scrutiny regarding the performance and compliance of their portfolios. Understanding how to conduct thorough investment audits is essential for identifying inefficiencies and ensuring adherence to regulations. This course addresses these critical workplace challenges, empowering participants to enhance their auditing practices while developing the capability to make informed decisions based on audit findings. Participants will learn to navigate complex regulatory environments, assess investment performance against benchmarks, and communicate effectively with stakeholders about compliance issues and risk management strategies, ultimately improving their organisations' financial integrity.

Participants will engage in practical exercises that simulate real-world investment auditing scenarios. By analysing case studies and applying auditing frameworks, they will develop the ability to assess investment performance, identify risks, and recommend improvements. This hands-on approach ensures that attendees can directly apply their learning to their roles, enhancing their effectiveness in investment auditing. They will practice drafting audit reports, conducting risk assessments, and presenting findings, thereby building a comprehensive skill set that is directly applicable to their professional responsibilities. This course ultimately prepares participants to contribute significantly to their organisations' investment strategies and compliance efforts, fostering a culture of accountability.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course employs a blend of interactive workshops, case studies, and simulations to build practical auditing skills. Participants will work in groups to analyse fictional investment portfolios, applying established auditing frameworks and methodologies. Each day includes specific exercises that require participants to gather and evaluate data, assess compliance, and develop actionable recommendations. Outputs will include detailed audit reports, risk assessment matrices, and presentations summarising findings. This structured approach ensures participants not only understand theoretical concepts but also gain hands-on experience in applying these principles to real-world scenarios, reinforcing their learning and capability development throughout the course. Participants will leave with tangible skills that can be immediately applied in their professional roles.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Analyse investment portfolios to identify compliance issues and performance discrepancies.
Evaluate risk management strategies within investment audits to enhance decision-making.
Construct detailed audit reports that summarise findings and recommendations for stakeholders.
Prioritise key areas of concern in investment portfolios based on audit findings.
Diagnose potential risks in investment strategies using quantitative analysis techniques.
Justify recommendations for improvements in investment auditing processes based on best practices.

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Investment Auditors responsible for evaluating portfolio performance and compliance.
Financial Analysts focusing on risk assessment and investment strategy evaluation.
Compliance Officers ensuring adherence to regulatory standards in investment practices.
Portfolio Managers seeking to enhance their understanding of auditing processes.

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Conduct thorough investment portfolio analyses for compliance and performance.
Apply risk assessment techniques to identify potential investment issues.
Develop comprehensive audit reports that communicate findings effectively.
Utilise quantitative methods to support investment auditing decisions.
Implement best practices in investment auditing to enhance organisational compliance.
Collaborate with stakeholders to address audit findings and recommendations.

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Foundations of Investment Auditing

Applied activity: Participants will review a fictional investment portfolio and identify key compliance requirements and performance indicators. They will discuss their findings in groups, focusing on areas of concern and potential improvements based on their analysis.

Output: A summary report highlighting compliance issues, performance indicators, and suggested actions.

09:00–09:54Introduction to investment auditing concepts and frameworks, focusing on compliance and performance.
09:54–10:48Understanding regulatory requirements for investment audits, including key legislation and standards.
10:48–11:00Key performance indicators (KPIs) for investment portfolios and their relevance in audits.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Key performance indicators (KPIs) for investment portfolios and their relevance in audits. (continued)
12:12–13:06Overview of risk management in investment contexts, including types of risks and their implications.
13:06–14:00Tools and technologies used in investment auditing, such as software for data analysis and reporting.

Day 2Analysing Investment Performance

Applied activity: Using a provided case study, participants will analyse the investment performance of a fictional portfolio, applying quantitative methods to identify discrepancies and areas for improvement. They will present their findings to the group.

Output: A detailed performance analysis report with identified discrepancies and recommendations for improvement.

09:00–09:54Methods for evaluating investment performance and benchmarking against industry standards.
09:54–10:48Quantitative analysis techniques for investment audits, including ratio analysis and trend analysis.
10:48–11:00Identifying discrepancies in portfolio performance data through detailed examination.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Identifying discrepancies in portfolio performance data through detailed examination. (continued)
12:12–13:06Utilising financial ratios to assess investment health and inform audit decisions.
13:06–14:00Case study analysis of investment performance audits to illustrate best practices.

Day 3Risk Management in Investment Auditing

Applied activity: Participants will create a risk assessment matrix for a fictional investment portfolio, identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies based on their analysis. They will collaborate to ensure comprehensive coverage of risks.

Output: A comprehensive risk assessment matrix with identified risks, their impact, and recommended mitigation strategies.

09:00–09:54Understanding different types of investment risks, including market, credit, and operational risks.
09:54–10:48Frameworks for assessing and managing investment risks, focusing on risk tolerance and mitigation strategies.
10:48–11:00Developing risk assessment matrices for portfolios to prioritise risks effectively.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Developing risk assessment matrices for portfolios to prioritise risks effectively. (continued)
12:12–13:06Case studies on risk management failures in investments to highlight lessons learned.
13:06–14:00Best practices for mitigating investment risks and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Day 4Conducting Effective Investment Audits

Applied activity: In groups, participants will conduct a mock investment audit on a fictional portfolio, gathering evidence and preparing to present their findings to stakeholders. They will focus on clarity and actionable recommendations.

Output: A presentation summarising audit findings, including compliance issues and suggested improvements.

09:00–09:54Steps in conducting a thorough investment audit, including planning, execution, and reporting phases.
09:54–10:48Techniques for gathering and analysing audit evidence, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
10:48–11:00Communicating audit findings to stakeholders effectively, focusing on clarity and actionable insights.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Communicating audit findings to stakeholders effectively, focusing on clarity and actionable insights. (continued)
12:12–13:06Developing action plans based on audit results, including timelines and responsible parties.
13:06–14:00Reviewing case studies of successful investment audits to illustrate effective practices.

Day 5Integrating Audit Findings into Investment Strategy

Applied activity: Participants will work on a comprehensive case study that requires them to integrate audit findings into a revised investment strategy, considering compliance and performance improvements. They will present their integrated strategy to the class.

Output: A revised investment strategy document that incorporates audit findings, compliance measures, and performance enhancement recommendations.

09:00–09:54Translating audit findings into actionable investment strategies that enhance performance and compliance.
09:54–10:48Collaborating with investment teams to implement changes based on audit recommendations.
10:48–11:00Monitoring the effectiveness of implemented audit recommendations through follow-up audits.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Monitoring the effectiveness of implemented audit recommendations through follow-up audits. (continued)
12:12–13:06Continuous improvement in investment auditing processes, focusing on feedback loops and adaptation.
13:06–14:00Final case study integrating all aspects of investment auditing for comprehensive understanding.

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

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Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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