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Lecturers with students doing the B Com honours degree with specialisation in Internal Auditing |
Almost 140 students registered for the Internal Auditing Programmes attended the fourth annual IAEP held at Unisa early in August.
The objectives of the day included making students aware of career opportunities after completing their studies and giving them an opportunity to meet their fellow students, lecturers, IAEP board members and other internal audit practitioners.
All Unisa's internal audit programmes have been accredited by the Institute of Internal Auditors and therefore form part of the Institute of Internal Auditors' Internal Audit Education Partnership (IAEP) Programmes.
The Executive Dean of the College of Economic and Management Sciences, Prof Mrad Shahia, welcomed the students and the IAEP advisory board members --- all of whom are internal audit practitioners and leaders in their respective organisations.
The success of the day can largely be attributed to the excellent presenters. In line with its main purpose, the theme of the 2008 conference was "The internal auditing landscape". Mr André Theron, Executive Manager: Group Internal Audit at Edcon, and Dr Claudelle von Eck, Chief Operating Officer: Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), delivered a presentation on a career in internal auditing and the value of IIA membership. Mr Bill Shellard, Education and Training Manager with the IIA SA, introduced the IIA Learnership programmes to the students, a project that is also envisaged for the Internal Auditing department at Unisa. Mr Jaco de Jager, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in South Africa, focused on the aims of the ACFE and the benefits of ACFE membership. |
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Since many internal auditing students are likely to be working in the public sector within the next couple of years, Mrs Maud van Wyk, Senior Manager: OMA Chartered Accountants Inc, shared her experiences of the role of internal auditing in the public sector. Many students could relate to Mr Oupa Mbokodo's struggle as a student to disregard financial and other difficulties. (He is now the Executive Head: Internal Audit Information Technology at Vodacom.) He also delivered an excellent presentation on the role of the internal auditor in IT auditing.
Being a good communicator and being able to make a good first impression are qualities sought by all internal auditing firms. Mrs Mari le Roux, Advanced Communicator at Toastmasters South Africa, shared her expertise in this field. Finally, Mr Piet van der Westhuizen, who has been an auditing lecturer for many years, advised students on how to prepare for and be successful in the examinations.
Students were able to look at the exhibition hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners South Africa, and to meet informally with their lecturers and the advisory board members.
Feedback from students was overwhelming --- one student even indicated that he is looking forward to next year's event. |
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FLTR Mr Andre Theron, Dr Claudelle von Eck, Mr Piet van der Westhuizen, Mrs Maud van Wyk, Mr Bill Shellard, Mr Oupa Mbokodo |
Programme directors, Mr Nebbel Motubatse and Mr Moloto Mokwele |
Students paying attention | |
