In today’s audit environment, independence must be actively protected.
Independence is a foundational principle of internal audit. But in practice, it is more fragile than most organizations are willing to admit.
Today’s auditors are expected to be collaborative, responsive, and business-minded. They are encouraged to build strong relationships, provide value-added insights, and support management. And while these expectations are well-intentioned, they can create subtle pressures that blur boundaries and erode independence over time.
This session explores how independence is not typically lost through obvious violations, but through small, everyday decisions—how audits are scoped, how findings are framed, and how auditors balance objectivity with the desire to be helpful.
Participants will examine the real-world tensions auditors face and learn how to maintain independence in practice—without becoming adversarial, rigid, or disconnected from the business.
As part of the Verracy 2026 Free Webinar Series, this session challenges auditors to rethink independence not as a static requirement, but as a discipline that must be actively protected.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize how independence is eroded through routine audit practices
- Identify where collaboration and pressure create risk to objectivity
- Apply practical strategies to maintain independence without damaging relationships
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CPE: 1.0 | Field: Auditing | Delivery: Group Internet Based
Level: Beginner | Prerequisites: None | Who Should Attend: Internal auditors, audit leaders, and risk and compliance professionals seeking to strengthen independence and objectivity in practice.
Verracy is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, 505 E. Huntland Drive, Suite 380, Austin, Texas 78752 www.tsbpa.state.tx.us
Cancellation Policy: This is a free webinar. You may cancel at any time.
To contact Verracy: training@verracy.com