The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) has launched a new training program providing foundational data analytics skills for internal auditors.
Partnering with the Institute of Internal Auditors, Australia (IIA) to develop and run the course, the new Auditor to Analyst digital training program promises participants “hands-on practical exercises and real audit scenarios” intended to improve the efficiency and efficacy of auditors’ work.
“They will also gain exposure to analytics and data science practices and tooling, such as computer programming languages and natural language processing, to help them make more informed decisions and provide smarter, faster, and safer assurance outcomes for their organisations,” CBA wrote in a statement.
Among the topics covered in the course include data sourcing, SQL, python, visualisation, and generative AI. IIA said the course would introduce participants to widely used and available analytics tools to test, interpret data and validate results.
“Participants will learn how to digitise and even automate some of their manual work, to reveal richer insights and create more capacity for judgement-based activities, delivering improved assurance outcomes.”
CBA group auditor Amo Tauialo said that the bank, alongside upskilling its own auditors, was “passionate about advancing the audit profession” in general.
“Our partnership with IIA allows us to share our expertise and help build the next generation of internal audit leaders.”
Trish Hyde, chief executive of IIA-Australia, welcomed the newly launched program as “the perfect opportunity for GRC [governance, risk and compliance] professionals to expand or enhance their skill sets in this ever-evolving field”.
Hyde added: “This partnership with CBA showcases their technical expertise but goes further – it demonstrates the CBA team’s commitment to helping the whole profession excel. This is commendable.”
The training program includes an optional IIA micro-credential (with 10 CPE points) and is delivered via a digital and on-demand syllabus.
The course will be available from 29 May to 31 Dec 2024.
