www.up.ac.za

Department of Auditing

Masters of Philosophy (MPhil)(INTERNAL AUDITING)

Enhance your career and become a World-Class Internal Auditor at a Centre of Excellence…

In co-operation with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and Erasmus School of Accounting and Assurance (ESAA) in the Netherlands

in presenting a postgraduate qualification

In association with Absa

Why an MPhil in Internal Auditing?

The role of internal auditors has increasingly come into focus as stakeholders are putting more pressure

on organisations to optimise performance and ensure sustainable business success. In addition, regulatory

and legal requirements in the private and public sectors are prescriptive, particularly regarding the need for

improved corporate governance. This has led to the increased demand for professional internal auditors

world wide, especially at a senior level where individuals are required to not only be ‘super’ internal

auditors, but to hold their own in various other spheres within the organisation.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA Inc) is the international professional body representing the internal

audit profession and is based in Florida in the United States of America (USA), with an affiliated Institute

in Johannesburg, South Africa, the IIA (SA). The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) qualification is the highest

professional internal audit qualification in the world. The IIA has experienced tremendous growth in member

numbers as well as in the number of members qualifying as CIAs globally. In South Africa, there is an

increased demand, which surpasses the supply for knowledgeable, skilled and experienced professional

internal auditors in the field of governance, risk and control. To address this need, the IIA (SA) has revisited

the career path for internal auditors, highlighting the need for senior internal auditors’ increased level of

competency.

The IIA Internal Auditing Educational Partnership Programme (IAEP) at the University of Pretoria (UP)

The internal audit programme at UP has been accredited as a centre of excellence in the IIA Inc’s Internal

Auditing Educational Partnership (IAEP) programme – one of only five in the world. The internal audit

education programmes at UP are also supported by the IIA (SA) which plays an active role in advocating

the internal audit profession.

The MPhil (Internal Auditing) builds on this programme, offering a world-class postgraduate degree for

senior internal auditors. In cooperation with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), an institution

ranked high on the worldwide list of business schools, and the Erasmus School of Accounting and

Assurance (ESAA), part of Erasmus University, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, also a Centre for Internal

Audit Excellence, UP is proud to offer the first master’s programme in internal auditing in South Africa that is

aimed at a global audience.

Some important facts to note :

• Entrance to the programme is based on internal audit experience, and the tertiary and professional

qualifications of each individual.

• A multi-disciplinary approach will be followed due to the diverse nature and applicability of internal

auditing. Therefore individuals from all backgrounds working in internal auditing will be considered.

• The programme will be offered on a part-time basis over a two-year period within four semesters.

• The education method will consist of a virtual classroom as well as contact sessions of two block

sessions (Thursday–Sunday) per semester. World-class subject experts will be co-presenting as

guest lecturers.

• Contact sessions will be at either GIBS or UP (ESAA courses included) - see curriculum on the

next page for an indication of which institution presents courses.

• Examinations will be in the format of case studies which will be assessed by practitioners.

• A research article has to be submitted during the final semester and be published in an accredited

journal.

Course Structure

Curriculum Core/Elective UP GIBS ESAA

Courses DescriptionInternal Auditing The discipline of internal auditing, managing the internal audit

function within the organisation structure and environment, internal audit activities including the performing of engagements, new developments e.g. sustainability assurance, integrated reporting, combined assurance

C 15

Governance The governance of an organisation including issues such as ethics, legislation, sustainability, stakeholder relationships, and engagement

C 10

Industry-specific Knowledge (*)

Specific knowledge that the internal auditor should obtain to add value, e.g. banking industry includes investment banking, economics, and regulatory environment. Students can choose between three industries, namely:

• Public sector• Financial services• Other industries

C 10

Risk Management Risk management and the influence on the role of internal auditing, control as a governance mechanism (risk-based), the effect of risk management and control systems on internal auditing, the incorporation of risk-related issues into the internal audit function and internal audit engagement

C 10

TOTAL CREDITS FOR SEMESTER 1 25 20 0Information Technology (IT) Auditing

IT governance, strategic planning, infrastructure and emerging technologies, advanced CAATTs, knowledge management and decision making

C 15

Financial Management and Analysis

Advanced forecasts, valuations, financial analysis and interpretation to identify weaknesses, audit engagement focus areas and fraudulent activities

C 10

Project Management Managing an internal audit function and internal audit engagement as a project (incl. time management)

C 10

Strategic Management Performance management, strategic management concepts, strategy mapping and implementation

C 10

TOTAL CREDITS FOR SEMESTER 2 15 30 0Business Communication Advanced communication techniques incl. verbal and written, other

topics such as presentation skills, conflict management, business report writing, interpreting external audit reports, management reports and management strategy

C 10

Organisational Behaviour /Industrial psychology

The internal auditor within the organisational environment, what makes a good internal auditor / manager, people management, marketing the value of internal auditing

C 10

Forensic Auditing Advanced forensic auditing E(**) 10Operational/Performance Auditing

Addressing the audit of business processes (including the 3 “E”s) E(**) 10

Research Methodology The study of research methodology C √TOTAL CREDITS FOR SEMESTER 3 30 0 0Research Project Publish a research article in an accredited journal C √ √TOTAL CREDITS FOR SEMESTER 4 30 0 30TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE 100 50 30

(*) – Each student selects only one of these modules.(**) – Each student selects only one of these modules.

Why study MPhil Internal Auditing at UP?

The MPhil is the first course work master’s specialising in the field of internal auditing in South Africa. To provide a quality learning experience for students, the programme will only take in fifty students. Successful candidates will receive expert training from some of the best South African and European internal auditors and business academics.

Students will be part of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences that is committed to deliver not only competent, but also creative, responsible and productive citizens – “The future business leaders.”

The Department of Auditing takes responsibility for the internal audit programmes that are offered by a professional, highly-qualified team of lecturers. An outcomes-based learning approach is used emphasising competency and focusing on knowledge, skills and the attitude of the learners. The IAEP programme is locally relevant and internationally competitive and aspires to provide a superior level of internal audit education that equips internal audit students with the competencies and ability to significantly contribute to the enhancement of the internal audit profession and all its stakeholders.

Who do I contact?

For more information and to obtain application forms contact the:

Client Service Centre

Tel (012) 420 3111Email: csc@up.ac.za

Department of Auditing

Ms Rika GroblerAdministrative Assistant: IAEP Centre for Internal Audit ExcellenceTel (012) 420 5298 • Fax (012) 362 5199Email: rika.grobler@up.ac.zaor

Prof Philna Coetzee

Coordinator: IAEP Centre for Internal Audit Excellence

Tel (012) 420 3350 • Fax (012) 362 5199

Email: philna.coetzee@up.ac.za

Or Website: www.up.ac.za/auditing (see academic departments – Auditing)

Universiteit van Pretoria • University of Pretoria • Yunibesithi ya PretoriaPrivaatsak/Private Bag/Mokotla wa Poso X20 • Hatfield • 0028 • Suid-Afrika/South Africa/Afrika BorwaTel: +27 12 420 4111 • Faks/Fax/Fekse: +27 12 420 4555 www.up.ac.za