Enhancing CPA competencies for internal audit roles

Abstract

This paper summarises survey study results identifying knowledge, skills, and attitudes (competencies) for entry‐level internal audit professionals that could be used to develop a curriculum for chartered professional accountant (CPA)‐bound students to pursue fulfilling careers in internal audit and related management positions under changing competency requirements. We built a survey based on the Institute of Internal Auditor's (IIA's) current Competency Framework, modified by insights from internal audit experts, including a suggestion to include a new information technology category. We then summarise responses from 641 internal audit professionals into a two‐dimensional visualisation highlighting the changes from currently identified competencies to expected changes in skill importance one decade in the future. The results highlight that future internal auditors will need to have a broader set of competencies than simply accounting and finance knowledge. Our future focus provides foundational insights related to the necessary and emerging competencies for academic programme planning, future research and practitioners' training and hiring strategies.