The Program
Dive into the dynamic realm of audit leadership where the spotlight's on sharpening your ability to spearhead high-impact audit teams by improving your effectiveness and efficiency as a leader. This engaging program cracks open the playbook on cutting-edge audit strategies and leadership, all tailored to boost your team's efficiency and adaptability in today's fast-paced business environment.
Think of it as your personal toolkit for turning audit theory into practice, packed with techniques that help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure your organization not only meets but exceeds its oversight objectives.
But it's not all about the nuts and bolts! You'll also be joining a community of forward-thinkers, where you can rub elbows with fellow audit virtuosos. Share real-world war stories, troubleshoot common hurdles, and brainstorm innovative solutions in a collaborative setting.
You will forge valuable connections and to walk away with actionable insights that can transform your approach to leadership within the auditing sphere, all while securing your reputation as a change-maker who drives accountability and inspires peak performance.
What You Will Learn
As someone who's passionate about helping Audit Leaders thrive in their roles, I meticulously designed this program from the ground up, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities you'll face in the world of Audit Leadership. By taking a learner-centered approach, I've curated content that not only covers the essential technical skills but also hones your strategic thinking, leadership, communication, and project management abilities.
This means you'll be navigating real-world scenarios with the confidence of a seasoned pro, but with fresh eyes and innovative ideas that can revolutionize the landscape. Rest assured, each module is structured to provide you with a clear and authentic progression path, ensuring that the journey to admired, trusted and valued leader is as seamless and enriching as possible.
Strategic
Mastering the Art of Influential Auditing Leadership
Innovative
Driving Change and Excellence in Audit Leadership
Visionary
Shaping the Future of Auditing Through Leadership
Curriculum
- 2024-09-18 Assurance vs. Advisory Work, Balancing ERM Responsibilities, Staffing Considerations, Being Disruptive (82:58)
- 2024-12-18 AI Use in Internal Audit and Measuring the ROI of AI (72:38)
- 2025-03-19 Transitioning to New Organization, Strategy and Relationship Building (61:38)
- 2025-06-18 Model Risk Audits, Communicating with Audit Committee, Independence for Internal Audit (67:06)
- 2025-09-17 Improving Annual Risk Assessments and AI Use in IA Teams (72:57)
- 2025-11-06
- 2025-12-04
- 2026-01-01 NO CALL DUE TO HOLIDAY
- 2026-02-05
- 2026-03-05
- 2025-10-01 Getting Ready to Roar Book
- 2025-09-17 GAO AI Resources
- 2025-08-01 New IIA Topical Requirement Out for Exposure - Organizational Behavior
- 2025-07-22 Deloitte's Strategic AI Governance Map
- 2025-05-22 Audit Committee Survey and Next IIA Topical Requirement
- 2025-03-10 IIA Pulse Report
- 2025-02-03 EY What Audit Committees Should Prioritize, Cybersecurity Topical Requirement Webinar
- 2024-10-17 AI and AI Governance at JPMorgan Chase
- 2024-09-10 Cyber Topical Requirements Answers
- 2024-08-22 CAQ AC Oversight in the Age of Gen AI
- 2024-05-24 OCC Enforcement Letter Comerica
- Advisory Services Guidelines for Internal Audit (30:27)
- AI in Internal Audit Others Are Using Now (39:55)
- Asking Questions Instead of Giving Advice (5:00)
- Before, During and After the Audit Committee Meeting (159:55)
- CAEs and Executive Presence
- CAE Summit #1 (61:30)
- CAE Summit #2 (52:19)
- Delivering Difficult Messages (4:58)
- Getting Your Budget Requests Approved (6:37)
- How to Position Internal Audit as an Advisory Go To
- Independence of IA, Succession Planning (57:34)
- Keys to Unlocking Relevance and Adding Value
- KPIs for Internal Audit Strategy (25:40)
- Lead Your Team Well (4:08)
- Maintaining Relevance
- Outsourced vs Co-Sourced Internal Audit (19:48)
- Reducing Management Push Back in Audits (17:39)
- Respect for Internal Audit (4:19)
- Smaller Audit Shops, Building Relationships, Asking Better Questions (57:22)
- "Taking" Time Management (5:58)
- The IIA's Three Lines Model (3:42)
- Tips for More Effective Audit Committee Meetings (16:06)
- Traditional Internal Audit Is Dying (6:42)
- Auditors Communicating Like Executives (32:17)
- Becoming a Trusted Advisor #1 (31:28)
- Becoming a Trusted Advisor #2 (32:29)
- Becoming a Trusted Advisor #3 (29:33)
- Habits: Brain Habits (16:00)
- Habits: Identity (15:33)
- Habits: Self Integrity (16:07)
- Habits: Subconscious Reprogramming (19:35)
- Influence: Overview (8:24)
- Influence: Authority (10:54)
- Influence: Consensus (8:19)
- Influence: Liking (15:51)
- Influence: Reciprocity (9:08)
- Influence: Scarcity (8:10)
- Managing Stress and Anxiety in Audit Teams and You (32:48)
- Mindset: Thinking vs Feeling (16:22)
- Mindset: Personal Responsibility (7:14)
- Mindset: Life Interpretations (9:14)
- Mindset: Mindfulness (9:30)
- Ninja Phrases and Questions (28:35)
- Resiliency (11:35)
- Resiliency: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (3:35)
- Resiliency: Laughter (8:02)
- Resiliency: Moving Up the Emotional Scale (9:02)
- Resiliency: Music and Movement (7:58)
- Resiliency: Relationships (8:38)
- Using the "Get out of BED" Model (61:33)
- CAE Lessons with Mike Joyce (36:56)
- CAE Lessons with Frank Clark (45:28)
- CAE Lessons with Julio Tirado (43:22)
- CAE Lessons with Tom Harris (35:46)
- CAE Lessons with Bruce Turner
- CAE Lessons with Imran Zia
- CAE Lessons with Steve Goepfert
- CAE Lessons with Larry Harrington
- CAE Lessons with Frank Coleman
- CAE Lessons with Sohail Saleem
Your instructor
Jason Mefford brings to the Audit Leader Forum™ a dynamic blend of passion and deep expertise in internal audit, risk management, and compliance. His career is highlighted by pivotal roles such as Chief Audit Executive, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer, coupled with his experience as a board member. Through his practical approach, Jason simplifies complex concepts and empowers Chief Audit Executive (CAE) members, audit committees, and professionals in the field to effectively navigate the organizational minefield with a transformative blend of technical and interpersonal skills.
A recognized authority in the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) domain, Jason's commitment to excellence in leadership and education has earned him accolades including the Rising Star in Corporate Governance from Yale University and a Fellowship with the Open Compliance & Ethics Group (OCEG) Think Tank. His passion for continuous learning is evident in his teaching style – engaging, relatable, and focused on real-world application. Jason's dedication to the profession extends beyond the classroom, inspiring a generation of audit leaders to drive change and achieve new heights in their careers.
The Details
The Audit Leader Forum™ is a subscription program specifically for ALL Audit Leaders (managers, directors, VPs, and CAEs).
Access updates, best practices, tools, resources, mentorship, group calls, and peer networking to increase your executive presence, communication and relationship skills, so you avoid political landmines and add real value to your organization without the usual stress and burnout often associated with the role of an Audit Leader.
"I've been officially promoted to the audit leader role to head the Internal Audit department at my company... Couldn't have done it without you! My growth during the last six months since I found the Audit Leader Forum™ has been nothing short of incredible!" - CAE, Real Estate Company
Learn how to customize your internal audit function to match the context and culture of your organization so you are seen as a valuable part of the executive team.
"The insight I got from this one group call was worth the entire annual investment!" - CAE, Insurance Company
And, we've been serving Audit Leaders just like you since 2018.
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Pre-Requisites: Audit Leaders (CAE, VP, Director, Manager)
Field: Auditing
Delivery Method: Self Study and Live Virtual
CPE Hours: 24 hours per year
Format: Live Zoom Calls, Video and Audio Recordings, Resources and Tools
What You Get
✅ Monthly Group Calls with Jason Mefford and other Audit Leaders Like YOU ($600 VALUE)
✅ Quarterly Private One-on-One Consultation / Coaching Calls ($1,200 VALUE)
✅ 24 Hours of CPE ($1,200 VALUE)
✅ Updates, Best Practices, Resources and Tools Designed for Audit Leaders ($999 VALUE)
✅ Leadership Training ($495 VALUE)
✅ Networking, Resources, and Education (PRICELESS)
✅ Lessons from CAE Recordings ($198 VALUE)
✅ Extensive Self Study Resource Library ($999 VALUE)
That's over $5,600 in value, for only $3 / day.
Updates, Best Practices, Resources and Tools:
Access the most extensive library of content (almost 15 years of updates, best practices and resources) designed specifically for Audit Leaders. Some examples include: before, during, and after the Audit Committee Meeting; getting your budget requests approved; maintaining relevance; reducing management pushback; outsourced vs. co-sourced functions; advice for smaller audit departments, managing your team, etc... (see course outline below), and we are adding new updates, best practices, and resources all the time.
"I really appreciate the updates and best practices I get with the Audit Leader Forum™. With my busy schedule, it is so nice to get notified about updates that I don't have time to keep on top of with the pressures of leading my team." CAE, Manufacturing Company
Leadership Training and Toolkit:
Access leadership training and tools designed specifically for Audit Leaders, that include topics most audit leaders don't have access to such as: brain habits, identity, influence, managing stress and anxiety, mindset, peak performance, resiliency, and ninja phrases and questions (see course outline).
“The most vexing and challenging issues about being an audit leader are usually more about the ‘Executive’ part of the title and less about the ‘Technical’ part of the title. I love the practical leadership advice and training shared in the group.” - CAE, Regional Bank and Insurance Company
"A big benefit I get from the Audit Leader Forum™ is the leadership tool kit. There's a lot of great information there. That's what I'm getting out of the Audit Leader Forum, and it's what I think other audit leaders could get out of it as well." CAE, Public Transportation Agency
Lessons from Chief Audit Executives:
Learn from people who are currently serving as a Chief Audit Executive, or have been in that role. Listen to recorded videos of them sharing what helped them become a CAE and advice they give to others. It's a way for you to learn from those who have been successful Audit Leaders.
"I found the lessons from other CAEs so valuable. As a newer CAE it helped me effectively get advice and many different perspectives from others who have done the job." CAE, Mortgage Company.
"I like hearing the different perspectives and issues others are dealing with. It helps me understand better what is going on in my world and see things with different eyes." CAE, Social Media Company
"I love this group and the people we've pulled together. I love that there's stability and continuity to it, so that I feel comfortable opening up and sharing with others." - CAE, University System
“I have met and gotten to know some audit leaders in this program solely via recurring Zoom calls yet feel like I can contact any of them for a confidential chat. That has been priceless.” - CAE, Regional Bank