This intensive preparatory course is designed for professionals seeking to earn the Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) certification. Delivered over two weeks, the course provides a solid foundation in public sector auditing, covering the key principles, standards, and methodologies required for effective government audits. Participants will explore the unique challenges of auditing in the public sector, develop skills in risk-based planning, and understand performance and compliance auditing. With a focus on Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and public accountability, this course ensures readiness for both the CGAP exam and real-world audit engagements.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define the unique role of government auditors and distinguish public sector auditing from private sector practices.
- Apply GAGAS principles with a focus on ethical standards, objectivity, and independence.
- Identify and assess risks in public programs to develop effective audit plans.
- Conduct performance and compliance audits aligned with government objectives and policies.
- Prepare transparent, impactful audit reports that meet the expectations of public stakeholders.
- Analyse and discuss real-life case studies to reinforce practical knowledge of public sector auditing.
This course is ideal for:
- Government internal auditors preparing for the CGAP certification.
- Public sector employees in auditing, compliance, or finance roles.
- Auditors transitioning from private to public sector environments.
- Professionals working with donor-funded or international development programs.
- Auditors in local, regional, or national government agencies seeking internationally recognized credentials.
The course follows a structured, hands-on training approach grounded in key adult learning principles to promote both understanding and practical competence. Expert-led sessions introduce each section with foundational knowledge, bridging audit theory with the practical realities of public governance and accountability. Conceptual walkthroughs clarify essential standards such as GAGAS and ethical frameworks, supported by visual aids and interactive explanations. Group-based discussions foster knowledge exchange, enabling participants to explore the complexities of government auditing from diverse institutional and cultural perspectives. Applied exercises in areas such as risk assessment, compliance verification, and audit planning allow learners to turn theory into actionable skills. Through case-driven learning, participants engage in simulated government audits, gaining practical experience in decision-making and reporting within real-world constraints. To reinforce learning, daily reviews and exam simulations are conducted, mirroring the structure and difficulty of the CGAP exam and helping participants build exam readiness and confidence.
Day 5 of each course is reserved for a Q&A session, which may occur off-site. For 10-day courses, this also applies to day 10
Section 1: Introduction to Government Auditing
- Exploring the mission and responsibilities of auditors in public institutions.
- Understanding the key differences between auditing in the public and private sectors.
- The auditor’s role in promoting integrity, efficiency, and value for money.
Section 2: Government Auditing Standards
- Overview of Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and the Yellow Book.
- Understanding ethical conduct, independence, and professional judgement.
- Applying standards in planning, fieldwork, and reporting phases of the audit.
Section 3: Risk Assessment in Government Auditing
- Identifying financial, compliance, and reputational risks in government programs.
- Risk prioritization techniques and setting audit objectives.
- Designing a risk-based audit approach for complex public sector environments.
Section 4: Auditing Public Sector Programs
- Distinguishing between performance auditing and compliance auditing.
- Measuring efficiency, effectiveness, and economy in public operations.
- Ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and funding requirements.
Section 5: Reporting and Accountability
- Writing clear and objective audit reports for diverse public stakeholders.
- Ensuring transparency through effective communication of findings.
- Promoting accountability and actionable recommendations in public institutions.
Section 6: Case Studies and Practical Applications
- Analysis of real-world audits in health, education, and infrastructure sectors.
- Simulated audit exercises focused on planning, execution, and reporting.
- Peer presentations and instructor feedback to consolidate learning outcomes.
Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded a Holistique Training Certificate of Completion. For those who attend and complete the online training course, a Holistique Training e-Certificate will be provided.
Holistique Training Certificates are accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) and The CPD Certification Service (CPD), and are certified under ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and ISO 29993 standards.
CPD credits for this course are granted by our Certificates and will be reflected on the Holistique Training Certificate of Completion. In accordance with the standards of The CPD Certification Service, one CPD credit is awarded per hour of course attendance. A maximum of 50 CPD credits can be claimed for any single course we currently offer.
- Course Code MG2 - 194
- Course Format Classroom, Online,
- Duration 10 days
Featured Courses
