Mastering the Five Tiers of Audit Competency The Essence of Effective Auditing

How to Get the Most from This Book
Chapter Contents at a Glance
The Book at a Glance
Overview of the Five Tier Audit Competency Model
Some Definitions before We Start
Change Management
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Techniques for Planning Useful Audits
Chapter Contents at a Glance
Definition and Benefits of the Critical Linkage
Audit Planning Techniques
Data Collection Interviewing: The Funnel Approach
Putting It All Together to Set the Scope and Objectives
Managing Your Time Effectively while Planning
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Techniques for Detailed Risk and Control Assessment
Chapter Contents at a Glance
Just What Is Inherent Risk?
Two Categories to Exclude When Identifying Inherent Risk
Risk’s Effect: Assessing a Risk’s Consequences
Control Assessment
Types of Controls
Tips for Writing about Controls in Narratives
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Testing and Sampling Techniques
Chapter Contents at a Glance
Testing Techniques
A Step-by-Step Approach to Developing Control Tests for Operating Effectiveness
Audit Sampling Techniques
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Documentation and Issue Development: The Building Blocks for Effective Audit Reports
Chapter Contents at a Glance
General, Four-Step Writing Process
Documenting the Audit: Getting Started
Tips for Effective Summary Writing
Issue Development
Effective Audit Documentation Techniques
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Core Competencies You Need as an Auditor
Chapter Contents at a Glance
Executive Presence in Audit
Critical Thinking: What Is It?
General Guidelines for Managing Your Time
Tips for Managing up the Ladder
General Ways to Organize the Message You Want to Communicate
Planning Effective Meetings
Reporting on an Audit’s Status
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Techniques for Managing the Audit Team
Chapter Contents at a Glance
Delivering Feedback
Tips for Managing a Multigenerational Workforce
Leaders and Managers
Building and Motivating Teams
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Techniques for Managing Constituent Relationship
Techniques for Achieving a Positive First Impression
Influencing Techniques
Delivering Technical Information to Nontechnical People
Fundamental Rules for Handling Objections
Exercise 8.1: Overcoming Auditee Objections to Issues
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Chapter Quiz Answers
Chapter 1: How to Get the Most from This Book
Chapter 2: Techniques for Planning Useful Audits
Chapter 3: Techniques for Detailed Risk and Control
Chapter 4: Testing and Sampling Techniques
Chapter 5: Documentation and Issue Development
Chapter 6: Core Competencies You Need as an Auditor
Chapter 7: Techniques for Managing the Audit Team
Chapter 8: Techniques for Managing the Constituent
Relationship

Bibliography

Biography

Ann M. Butera is the founder and president of The Whole Person Project, Inc., an organizational development consulting firm that specializes in assisting companies to introduce, handle, and manage change. Her prior work experience as a department manager for a large retailer, a system liaison officer at a major money center bank, and an internal consultant at a bankcard processor, in conjunction with her experience as a business owner and consultant, enables her to develop customized approaches for continuous improvement and increased profitability in organizations of all sizes. She served as an audit committee chair for a financial services firm.For over 25 years, Ann Butera has consulted with organizations of all sizes to provide managers, auditors, and compliance and risk professionals with the techniques needed to improve their risk management practices. She has worked specifically with audit, compliance, and risk management department managers to develop methodologies that enhance the consistency and quality of audit and review execution. Ann Butera received her Masters of Business Administration in Organizational Development from Adelphi University and is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Long Island University (C.W. Post Campus).

It was an incredible experience reading Ann Butera's book "Mastering the Five Tiers of Audit Competency." Ms. Butera has done a great job of keeping the overall flow of her book consistent in explaining the concept. This book could be used as a reference for topics of interest.  

This is a must-read for seasoned and evolving auditors. It provides some great objective tips that can easily be implemented in day-to-day work. This book gives great guidance on technical aspects of audit as well as tips to improve soft skills. On a personal note, Chapters 7 and 8 were very helpful for my day-to-day role.

Nirpendra “Nick” Ajmera

The author presents a compelling case that technical proficiency alone is not enough and approaches this end by structuring competency development into tiers. Those high competence levels actually help or hinder sound audit work.
This book does not try to compete with standards-based audit manuals or methodology guides. Instead, it approaches the human and managerial aspects of auditing, which are often underdeveloped in formal audit education. The addition of performance planning worksheets, self-assessment instruments, and chapter-end quizzes further emphasizes that the book is not just an academic reference but a developmental guide to ongoing professional reflection. The book’s consistent interest in behavior, not in how auditors know, but in what auditors do consistently. According to principles of organizational development, the author relates audit performance to habit development, change management, and personal discipline. This resonates deeply with the professionals involved in coaching staff, overseeing performance, or driving a culture of change across audit functions. I do find much of the documentation and issue development section particularly practical.

The book does not map its advice onto formal guidelines or standards. For companies that need high standards, such as regulated industries, this might also limit the book to a standalone reference. It provides limited focus on data analytics, continuous auditing, and technology-enabled assurance; though this limitation is not a major shortcoming of the book, it makes it less relevant to audit functions that are increasingly data-driven. Many examples assume mature internal audit functions operating within US-style governance and organizational cultures. Auditors in emerging markets or public-sector environments may need to adapt certain recommendations to local institutional realities.

Naji Alslaibi, PhD
Director of Institutional Affairs | Bethlehem University