Introduction

As organizations increasingly adopt Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to streamline operations and boost efficiency, a new critical imperative arises for auditors: ensuring the reliability, security, and compliance of these automated processes. Auditing RPA implementations is not merely an extension of traditional IT audit; it requires specialized knowledge to address the unique governance, control, and risk considerations inherent in a digital workforce. This essential training course focuses on Auditing Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Implementations, equipping professionals with the critical knowledge and practical methodologies to effectively assess the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of RPA solutions, ensuring they meet organizational objectives, maintain data integrity, and adhere to regulatory standards. You will learn to navigate the complexities of bot oversight, understand the interplay between human and digital workers, and provide robust assurance over your organization's automation journey.

This intensive training course delves into the unique audit challenges presented by RPA, including managing bot identities and access, ensuring data security within automated workflows, and validating the accuracy and completeness of automated transactions. We will explore various audit methodologies tailored for RPA environments, covering pre-implementation assessments, post-implementation reviews, and continuous monitoring strategies. Participants will gain hands-on experience in evaluating RPA governance frameworks, assessing the effectiveness of controls over bot development and deployment, and identifying potential risks such as errors, fraud, or non-compliance. By the end of this training course, you will possess the expertise to confidently lead and contribute to RPA audit engagements, safeguarding your organization's assets and reputation in the automated enterprise.

Target Audience

• Internal Auditors
• IT Auditors
• Compliance Officers
• Risk Management Professionals
• RPA Developers & Business Analysts
• Project Managers for Automation Initiatives
• Information Security Professionals
• Quality Assurance Teams for RPA

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and its impact on business processes.
• Learn about the typical RPA implementation lifecycle and key roles involved.
• Master methodologies for assessing the governance and control framework of RPA initiatives.
• Develop skills in identifying and evaluating RPA-specific risks (e.g., security, data integrity, operational).
• Understand the best practices for auditing RPA design and development.
• Learn about techniques for auditing bot performance, accuracy, and reliability.
• Explore best practices for RPA access management and security controls.
• Master techniques for reviewing RPA change management and exception handling processes.
• Understand the compliance implications of RPA (e.g., SOX, GDPR, industry regulations).
• Learn about strategies for integrating RPA audits into an overall audit plan.
• Apply practical RPA auditing strategies to real-world automation scenarios.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

• Defining Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and its capabilities.
• Exploring the benefits and typical use cases of RPA in various industries.
• Understanding the core components of an RPA ecosystem (bots, orchestrators, development tools).
• The RPA implementation lifecycle and its phases.
• The changing risk landscape introduced by RPA.

Module 2: RPA Governance and Control Frameworks

• Learning the essential elements of a robust RPA governance framework.
• Understanding roles, responsibilities, and accountability in an RPA environment.
• Mastering methodologies for establishing effective RPA control objectives.
• Developing policies and procedures for RPA development, deployment, and maintenance.
• The role of an RPA Center of Excellence (CoE).

Module 3: Risk Assessment and Audit Planning for RPA

• Identifying and assessing RPA-specific risks (e.g., unauthorized access, data manipulation, process errors).
• Understanding the impact of RPA on internal controls.
• Developing a risk-based RPA audit plan.
• Defining the scope and objectives of an RPA audit engagement.
• Integrating RPA audits into the annual audit schedule.

Module 4: Auditing RPA Design and Development

• Mastering techniques for auditing the design of RPA solutions.
• Reviewing process documentation, flowcharts, and control points.
• Assessing the effectiveness of development standards and coding best practices.
• Evaluating user acceptance testing (UAT) and quality assurance for bots.
• Ensuring segregation of duties in RPA development and operations.

Module 5: Auditing RPA Operations and Performance

• Learning about techniques for auditing the operational effectiveness of RPA bots.
• Reviewing bot performance metrics, error rates, and exceptions.
• Assessing logging mechanisms, audit trails, and data integrity within RPA processes.
• Understanding the impact of system changes on bot functionality.
• Validating the accuracy and completeness of automated transactions.

Module 6: RPA Security and Compliance Auditing

• Exploring security considerations specific to RPA, including bot credentials and access management.
• Auditing cybersecurity controls over RPA infrastructure and data.
• Understanding compliance risks associated with RPA (e.g., data privacy regulations, industry-specific mandates).
• Reviewing incident management and disaster recovery plans for RPA.
• Ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.

Module 7: Continuous Auditing of RPA & Future Trends

• Strategies for implementing continuous auditing and monitoring of RPA processes.
• Leveraging data analytics to proactively identify RPA control failures or anomalies.
• Reporting RPA audit findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Exploring emerging trends in intelligent automation, AI, and their audit implications.
• The future role of the auditor in overseeing the digital workforce.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.