Typically, internal auditors are marking their calendars and making travel arrangements at this time of year to attend a host of internal audit conferences, user forums, and seminars. This year things are different, of course, and few, if any, professional development events are taking place live. That doesn’t mean internal audit conferences aren’t happening. Indeed several organizations are conducting conferences and user forums online, with most offering continuing professional education credits (CPEs) to those who attend from the comfort of their own home offices, living rooms, and kitchen tables.
The Institute of Internal Auditors, for example, moved its traditionally well-attended International Conference, which had been planned as a live event in Miami in July, to a virtual event taking place in early November. Several internal audit software vendors, including AuditBoard, Workiva, and TeamMate, are holding virtual user conferences online, complete with keynote speakers, networking opportunities, vendor presentations, virtual meet-ups, and even some opportunities for fun, such as digital cocktail hours and culinary demonstrations. Some of them are even making registration free.
With so many virtual internal audit conferences to choose from, we figured we’d help readers plan their calendars with a round-up of internal audit oriented virtual events taking place this fall. Many are offering CPE credits just in time for the end of the year, and many are also offering on-demand versions of the sessions so internal auditors can watch them on their own time.
This is not meant to be comprehensive, as we’re sure there are many virtual events taking place this fall. But these are the big ones on our radar screen. If we missed any your organization is planning or you are planning to attend, drop a note in the comments below and if it rises to a similar level as the events we have listed below, we’ll do our best to include it.
Here are some highlights of upcoming virtual internal audit conferences and events taking place this fall.
CONFERENCE: Audit + Beyond: A Conference by AuditBoard
DATES: October 7 – 8, followed by a weekly webinar series.
ABOUT: According to AuditBoard, “Our sessions will be packed full of actionable items you can take back to your department and put to use immediately. Industry experts will share their perspectives on key trends transforming audit, risk, and compliance; practical how-to tips; and strategies for getting the most from the AuditBoard platform.”
CPE CREDITS: 22 keynote and breakout sessions. Earn up to 10 CPE credits.
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS:
- Cynthia Cooper, Time Magazine Person of the Year. Former Worldcom CAE.
- Bill Michalisin, Institute of Internal Auditors. EVP & COO.
- Paul Sobel, COSO. Chairman.
- Ruby Opara Collings, Haemonetics Corp. VP of Global Internal Audie, CAE.
- Laura Gannan, Walmart. Senior Director of Global Audit Solutions.
- Rob Frattasio, RSM. National Leader, Process Risk and Controls.
- Eric Groen, Protiviti. Managing Director.
- Carly Score, Rapid7. IT Internal Audit Manager
- Nicholas LeBlanc, Rapid7. Senior Manager, Internal Audit.
- Rebecca Stover, Hostess Brands. Director, SOX Compliance and Internal Controls.
- Brian Wueste, iRobot. Director of Internal Audit.
COST: Free.
TO REGISTER: https://www.auditboard.com/audit-and-beyond/registration/
Looking for internal audit CPE Credits? Check out the internal audit training opportunities offered by Internal Audit 360° through our partners, including courses on ethics, Agile, data analytics, risk management and more!
CONFERENCE: Workiva: Amplify
DATES: September 15 – 17
ABOUT: According to Workiva, you will “Get inspiration and advice on cultivating trust even in uncertain times, and hear from industry vanguards and professional peers on everything from data quality to business resiliency. Amplify Virtual Expo allows attendees to discover new solutions and features, chat with developers, share experiences with other attendees, and interact with partners, sponsors, and Workiva experts.
CPE CREDITS: 30+ sessions with three track options: Platform, Solution, Industry. Most sessions are eligible for 1 CPE credit.
HIGHLIGHTED SPEAKERS:
- Carla Harris, Morgan Stanley. Vice Chairman of Wealth Management; Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor
- Mike Farrow, AES Corporation. Director of Financial Reporting.
- David Gamble, Smile Direct Club. Director of Risk & Advisory Services.
- Christie Kozlik, Allstate. Director of Shareholder Reporting.
- Keri Tracy, Newell Brands. Director of Global Internal Controls.
- Rachel Botsman. Leading expert and author.
COST: Free.
TO REGISTER: https://events.workiva.com/event/be3f7e3b-ba1f-45ef-a652-346d1a939f6a/summary
CONFERENCE: Audimation 2020 IDEA User Conference
DATES: September 30 – October 1
THEME: “Bring Your A Game”
ABOUT: According to Audimation, “IUC 2020 will feature leading industry speakers covering groundbreaking technology and trends, hands-on workshops, and much more – on the topics that matter the most. Be prepared to implement these modern approaches and streamline your workflow.”
CPE CREDITS: 40+ sessions. Recordings will be available for attendees to watch later. Earn up to 15 hours of NASBA CPE.
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS:
- Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, Oracle. Executive Director.
- Meredith W. Williams-Range, Shearman & Sterling. Chief Knowledge and Value Officer.
- Amanda White, University of Technology Sydney. Senior Lecturer, Accounting Discipline Group.
- Mark Mayberry, Audit Thought Leader.
- Lisa Evans, The Mohegan Tribe. Senior Internal Auditor.
- Samantha Webster, The Mohegan Tribe. Senior Manager of Audit & Analysis.
- Jennifer Girard, American Red Cross. Senior Auditor.
- David Kirtland, Spark Energy. Director of Internal Audit.
- Mark Mayeux, H&E Equipment Services. Internal Auditor.
COST: $495 – $1,195. Group discounts available.
TO REGISTER: https://web.cvent.com/event/48d5701f-69e8-4e97-952d-6b3eb611d346/summary
CONFERENCE: Wolters Kluwer: TeamMate Live Virtual Conference
DATES: September 21 – 24
ABOUT: According to Wolters Kluwer TeamMate, the conference will offer attendees, “an opportunity to gather expert insights and strategies for building business resiliency, while connecting with peers and industry thought leaders.” It will include several sessions and keynotes, interactive networking opportunities in virtual exhibit halls, and discussion rooms.
CPE CREDITS: Customer attendees can earn a minimum of 10 CPEs. Non-customer attendees can earn a minimum of 4 CPEs. On-demand sessions will be available for 30 days, beginning September 25.
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS:
- Jason Dorsey, behavioral researcher, strategic advisor.
- Ashley Damon, Fidelity Investments. Audit Director.
- Michelle Doherty and Shawn Foran, Allstate.
- Caroline Free, Ernst & Young. Senior Manager in Advisory Services.
- Susan Powell, Somerset Trust Company. SVP Audit and Chief Audit Executive.
- Joanne Sebby, Fiserv. Chief Audit Executive.
- Alexandra Shulman-Peleg, Ernst & Young. Executive Director of Cloud Cybersecurity, Americas.
- Kasole Wasonga, former Chairman of the Institute of Certified Public Accountant of Kenya.
COST:
TeamMate Customers: $395 – $695
Non-customers: $595 – $895
Group pricing is available.
TO REGISTER: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/teammate/events/teammate-live
CONFERENCE: IIA International Conference
DATES: November 2 – 4
THEME: “Cruise Into Internal Audit”
ABOUT: The IIA says: “The IIA’s 2020 virtual International Conference is the premier event for internal auditors from around the globe. This event allows internal auditors from all industries and career levels to gain new insights, network with peers, and hear industry leaders as they address current challenges and emerging issues.”
CPE CREDITS: 30+ sessions, plus networking breaks in a Virtual Exhibit Hall. Earn up to 17.7 CPE credits.
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS:
- Sriram Padmanabhan, Citi. Chief Auditor, Technology.
- Heather Haboush, Citigroup. Chief Auditor, Chief Operating Officer.
- Larry C. Herzog Butler, Delivery Hero SE. Senior Director, Internal Audit.
- Brian Christensen, Protiviti. EVP, Global Internal Audit.
- Lenny Block, Nasdaq. Vice President of Internal Audit.
- Greg Jordan, Nationwide Insurance. Chief Audit Executive.
- Rachel Tressy, Voya Financial. SVP and Chief Auditor.
- Karen Brady, Baptist Health South Florida. Corporate Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer.
- Benito Ybarra, Texas Department of Transportation, Chief Audit and Compliance Officer.
- Jason Silva. Emmy-nominated TV Personalty, Speaker, and Futurist.
- Kindra Hall, Steller Collective. President.
COST:
IIA Members: $695
Non-members: $895
TO REGISTER: https://ic.globaliia.org/Pages/register.aspx
CONFERENCE: GRC Summit 2020, hosted by MetricStream
DATES: November 16 – 18
THEME: “Perform with Integrity.”
ABOUT: MetricStream says, “The summit this year will be conducted virtually featuring keynotes from prominent global leaders along with discussions, case studies, and deep-dive workshops from domain experts, practitioners, and independent analysts.”
CPE CREDITS: 30 breakout track sessions. Earn up to 14 CPE credits.
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS: To be announced.
COST: $75 – $399
TO REGISTER: https://www.grc-summit.com/2020/register
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While COVID-19 restrictions change the way virtually everyone does business in 2020, internal auditors still have plenty of options to learn, network, and collect CPE credits.
If you attend one of these events, share your lessons and discuss takeaways with your internal audit peers on our LinkedIn group: Internal Audit Ideas. 
Joseph McCafferty is Editor & Publisher of Internal Audit 360°. Editorial Consultant Elizabeth Mullen contributed to this report.