Fundamentals of Internal Auditing (FoIA)

This module sets the foundations for the entire course. It equips students with the technical skills and knowledge to undertake the three lines of governance, risk and assurance, as well as risk-based internal auditing in accordance with the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).

It consists of three microcredentials bundled into the Fundamentals of Internal Auditing:

  • Internal Audit, Governance and Risk Fundamentals
  • Understanding the IPPF
  • Introduction to Internal Audit Engagement

Upon successful completion of all three microcredentials, the student receives the “Fundamentals of Internal Auditing” Digital Badge and a Statement of Attainment.

Learning Outcomes

  1. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of the Three Lines Model and the IPPF, including the GIAS and TRs
  2. The ability to critically reflect on, understand and explain the concepts of risk management, control and governance
  3. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of key internal audit concepts and tools including control frameworks, operational and management tools and techniques, forecasting and data sampling
  4. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of quality models and frameworks
  5. The ability to critically reflect on, understand and explain the management of projects, particularly within an internal audit activity

Legal and Regulatory Environment (LRE)

Module 2 develops knowledge and understanding of legal, regulatory and economic environments in which Australian organisations operate and make decisions. The legal, regulatory and trading (economic) environment is complex and can include traversing trade legislation and regulations, labour laws, copyright, privacy and cyber laws, civil and penal laws, taxation schemes, contract law as well as the nature and laws of legal evidence.

This module covers:

  • Ethics, ethical organisations and evaluating ethics
  • Legal and Regulatory Environment, including governance, the mandate for Internal Audit’s role, compliance mapping and assurance mapping
  • Fraud risk, prevention and investigation | Economic Environment, including the role of Government, macroeconomic issues and implications for Internal Audit, Risk and Controls Assurance.

Learning Outcomes

  1. The ability to critically reflect on, understand and explain the regulatory and legal framework within which organisations operate
  2. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of macro and microeconomics appropriate to the organisation
  3. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ethics, conflict of interest, and the role of internal audit in evaluating ethics
  4. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of fraud, fraud risk evaluation and the appropriate means for detection, investigation and prevention of fraud

Organisations Systems and Processes (OSP)

This module builds students’ knowledge and understanding of the systems and processes used to manage an effective business, so that their governance, risk and assurance work can deliver organisational value. This includes key financial statement principles, as well as the role of Information Communications and Technology and associated governance, risk management, control and audit processes.

This module covers:

  • Financial reporting and management accounting
  • Analysis and interpretation of financial statements
  • ICT Frameworks and Governance, ICT risk and ICT internal audit
  • Auditing ICT projects
  • ICT Risks and the ICT Audit process
  • ICT General Controls and Application Controls
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Business continuity management

Learning Outcomes

  1. Be familiar with ICT governance, risk and control frameworks appropriate to the operation of a business organisation
  2. Develop a practice-oriented understanding of the internal auditing process for ICT-enabled business activities
  3. Develop a conceptual understanding of finance and accounting practice appropriate to the operation of a business organisation
  4. Understand the management accounting concepts and techniques appropriate to the operation of a business organisation

Professional in Practice (PIP)

Professional in Practice is the capstone module of the Professional Certificate in Integrated Assurance, providing opportunities for students to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills to: 

  • assess the design of internal controls and their frameworks;
  • develop comprehensive organisation-wide risk frameworks as well as provide risk assurance advisory services;
    plan, conduct and evaluat an internal audit in accordance with the IPPF.
  • Drawing on the other three modules, this module focuses on the non-technical skills required to lead and effect change, and to communicate and influence all levels of the organisation. 

This module covers:

  • Influence and communication
  • Leadership and teamwork
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation
  • Change management
  • Culture and risk management
  • Digital governance
  • Capstone case studies.

Learning Outcomes

  1. The ability to critically reflect on, understand and explain the interpersonal skills required to operate as a successful internal auditor, including negotiation, personnel management, written and oral communication and change management
  2. The ability to apply an understanding of the effects of culture and technology on the extended organisation
  3. The ability to critically reflect on, understand and explain concepts covered across all modules of the course, with particular regard to the ways in which these concepts are combined to provide the basis of an effective governance, risk and controls assurance functions
  4. The ability to critically reflect on and explain how the course material has impacted individual practice of internal audit, risk management and controls assurance

Entry Requirements

The ProCertIA is open to everyone and there are no prerequisite requirements other than access to a computer and the internet. However, to get the most out of your studies, we recommend having an undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience.

Course Duration

The ProCertIA consists of four modules which are expected to be completed over a two-year period with a maximum allowed of four years. 

Module 1 (Fundamentals of Integrated Assurance) is an on-demand course that can be started any time and does not require you to commit to the other modules. It takes approximately 8 weeks to complete and we recommend having 15 hours per week study time available. Modules 2 to 4 are each held over a 15-week period (including two weeks for assessment preparation). Study time for these modules is approximately 10 hours per week. 

Course Delivery

Each module is delivered online and candidate learning is supported by comprehensive learning materials including a Module Outline, a schedule of weekly reading and activities, and detailed ‘Units’ which provide content, learning activities and assistance in navigating through the prescribed reading for the module.

Moodle, our learning management system is used to facilitate class discussion, publish announcements, provide supplementary resources and a range of tools to enhance interactions with peers and tutors (where applicable).

All learning resources are included in the module fee, except a textbook that is required for Module 3.

Students will receive a confirmation of enrolment letter providing full details about the semester including expectations around study commitment and assessments as well as details about module resources and timetables.  Please note that Module   

There is an expectation that you will spend approximately 144 hours in total on each module engaged in private study, reading units, participating in interactive learning opportunities and completing assessment requirements.

Assessment

Each Module includes specific Assessments, including: 
  • Assignments: Each Module has a final major assignment in which a mark of 50% or higher must be attained to pass)
  • Reflective journals
  • Participation in webinars and discussion forums
  • Online quizzes
The Candidate Assessment Policy contains important information relating to assessment. 

Semester 2 2025 

For modules 2 to 4

Module Enrolment Closes 1 Aug 2025
Module Starts / Weekly Learning Commitments 4 Aug 2025
Break 15-21 Sep 2025
Classes and Weekly Learning Commitments Finish 31 Oct 2025
Major Assessment Due  16 Nov 2025
Last Day for Special Consideration Requests / If Granted, Special Consideration Assignment Due    23 Nov 2025 / 7 Dec 2025
Results Released From 12 Dec 2025

Technical Requirements

To undertake the ProCertIA you must have access to a computer and internet as the ProCertIA is taught in an online environment and resources are also provided online.  We use the Learning Management System, Moodle. Moodle is compatible with any standard compliant web browser.