Course Information
Using Data Analytics to Transform Audit
Parking for SAO, Professional Development courses is in Garage B (1511 San Jacinto Blvd.). The Garage signage may read 1511 San Jacinto or Garage B. The elevator in Garage B is not reliable. If you are unable to walk the stairs, please contact the professionaldevelopment@sao.texas.gov for alternate parking arrangements. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
A course coordinator will Email you a parking permit prior to the course start date. A permit must be displayed or you will be ticketed.
Course Description
Data analytics programs are an excellent opportunity for audit functions to truly add value to their organizations by enhancing assurance for audits, expanding coverage, enabling fraud detection and reducing efforts for Sarbanes-Oxley. Good programs help audit functions to be efficient, scalable, reduce errors and provide greater audit and fraud coverage. However, implementing and expanding a program can be challenging. A successful program requires many different skills sets and rarely does a single individual possess all the necessary skills. Proficiency with a data analytics tool is only one piece of the puzzle. Leveraging the knowledge of the entire audit team is what makes data analytics programs successful. That requires educating the entire team on data analytics – what a program can provide, and what will make it valuable for audit and the organization. This course will help auditors understand what data analytics can do, what is required for a successful program, what areas to targeted, and most importantly, why everyone’s skills and knowledge are needed. Participants will learn interactively through a combination of lecture, case studies, demonstrations, and exercises.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understanding data analytics concepts
- Understanding continuous auditing and continuous monitoring
- Identifying how data analytics adds value and efficiency to your audits
- Learning how to implement data analytics programs and overcoming the common challenges
- Understanding databases, schemas, entities, attributes, tables, fields, etc.
- Learning data analytics fundamental approaches and some advanced techniques
- Learning how to present your findings in a compelling manner
Prerequisites
No prerequisites required.
YB 4.23(p)
Instructors
Mary Breslin, CIA, CFE specializes in Internal Audit transformations, Operational and Financial Auditing, Fraud Auditing & Investigations, and Corporate Accounting.
Her career spans over 20 years in Internal Auditing, Management and Accounting for companies such as ConocoPhillips, Barclays Capital, Costco Wholesale, Jefferson Wells and Boart Longyear. With significant International experience, she has managed audit programs in more than 50 countries. Most recently, Ms. Breslin held the titles of Vice President and Chief Audit Executive where she transformed a checklist audit functions into a value add audit departments which regularly delivered measurable business results through the use of risk based auditing, data analytics, continuous education and skill development for her leadership team and staff. Through her senior audit leadership roles, Ms. Breslin has implemented numerous baseline internal audit functions and year-one Sarbanes-Oxley programs, both domestically and abroad.
Additionally Ms. Breslin has extensive Fraud Audit and Investigation experience and has conducted major fraud investigations on multiple continents including large scale federal cases domestically. She has developed and implemented fraud auditing programs in various industries focused on both accounting and operations.
Ms. Breslin attended Rutgers University and received her BS in accounting, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix while living and working overseas. She is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). She maintains memberships in the IIA, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and is currently a conference speaker for the IIA.
Additional Information
TAC Rule 523.142(g) requires the CPE Sponsor to monitor individual attendance and assign the correct number of CPE credits. Participants will be asked to document their time of arrival and departure in compliance with this Rule. Additionally, attendance will be monitored throughout the day and CPE certificates will reflect actual attendance of each participant.
If you are making travel plans to come to Austin, we recommend making "refundable" air and hotel reservations or waiting until 14 days before the class to actually book your reservations. Courses are occasionally canceled or rescheduled due to low enrollment. We determine whether a course has enough participants 16 days prior to the course date. If we cancel or reschedule, we will email the participant and his or her billing contact no later than 14 days before the original class date.
Vending machines with Coca-Cola products and various snack items are available. There is also a refrigerator and microwave in our coffee bar area. Feel free to bring in your own drinks and food if you prefer.
You might want to bring a light sweater or jacket, as room temperatures vary.
To see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://www.sao.texas.gov/training/faq.html.