Course Information
Information Systems Controls and Data Reliability
Course Description
This course will provide you with foundational knowledge of information systems controls and data reliability and their role in audit planning and fieldwork for GAGAS performance audits. You will learn how to assess the significance of IS controls, evaluate data reliability, identify and obtain appropriate evidence, and apply key concepts through practical audit scenarios and exercises.
Course Objectives
Objectives
1. Understand what information systems controls are, and how they are relevant to your audit.
2. Understand data reliability, how it relates to information systems controls, and how to assess it.
3. Understand key evidence needed to meet evidentiary standards when assessing information systems controls and data reliability.
4. Work through various scenarios to understand different applications of key principles.
Outline
Part 1: Intro/Overview
1.a: What are IS Controls?
1.b: What is data reliability?
1.c: Relationship between IS controls and data reliability
Part 2: IS Controls and Data Reliability During Planning
2.a: Assessing the significance of IS controls
2.b: Data reliability assessment scenarios
*Exercise (Assessing significance/need for DRA under various audit objectives)
Part 3: IS Controls and Data Reliability During Fieldwork
3.a: Interviews/Walkthroughs
3.b: Document/data requests
*Exercise
3.c.: Testing Methodologies, including FISCAM overview
*Exercise
3.d. Debrief and closeout
Prerequisites
None
Instructors
Elizabeth Kowalewski has 17 years of experience performing and overseeing federal and state performance audits of varying size, scope, and complexity, covering a broad range of subject matter, including education, state election law, law enforcement, and banking. Elizabeth has presented sessions as part of the AGA's Professional Development Training and other conferences and has regularly trained junior and senior auditors and others on performance audit standards, methodologies, and writing since 2014.
Prior to joining Sikich, Elizabeth was a director at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) and a senior analyst at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and politics from Ursinus College, a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) from Indiana University – Bloomington, and a certificate in the Psychology of Leadership from Cornell University. Elizabeth is a licensed Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and a member of both the AGA and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).