Format: Online
Internal audit engagements are, at their core, projects, yet many audit professionals do not formally apply project management disciplines to their planning, execution, and stakeholder engagement. Effective project leadership can significantly elevate audit delivery, improve coordination, and strengthen relationships across the organization. In this session, Project Management Essentials for Internal Auditors: The Role of the Project Lead, participants will learn how to approach audit engagements with a structured project management mindset. We will explore practical techniques for managing stakeholders, planning and sequencing work, defining roles and responsibilities, and keeping audits on track. All while upholding the IIA Standards and maintaining independence and objectivity. Drawing from real-world experience in global organizations, this session provides actionable tools and insights audit professionals can immediately apply to their engagements. Whether you are leading audits today or preparing for future leadership responsibilities, this webinar will help you deliver audits with clarity, confidence, and impact.
DATE: Apr 22, 2026
TIME: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET
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One (1) NASBA CPE will only be awarded to participants on the live broadcast who are logged in for a minimum of 50 minutes and engage on at least three poll questions per each hour of the event.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
• Apply project management principles to audit engagements to enhance structure, efficiency, and accountability.
• Define and manage stakeholder expectations throughout the audit lifecycle, fostering collaboration and minimizing friction.
• Develop effective audit plans and timelines using project management tools and techniques that align with IIA Standards.
• Clarify roles and responsibilities within audit teams and with stakeholders using frameworks such as RACI.
• Identify practical tips and tools to improve audit delivery. From planning to reporting, while maintaining independence and objectivity.
• Leverage communication and risk management techniques to proactively address challenges and deliver impactful results.
SPEAKER
Alan Carstens
Alan Carstens is a global internal audit and risk management leader with experience across multinational organizations including KPMG, Roche, adidas and McDonald’s. He has led international audit programs, driven governance and controls transformation, and developed operating models that strengthen risk management, stakeholder alignment, and audit delivery excellence across regions.
Alan currently serves as Senior Department Head – Global Internal Audit at McDonald’s, where he supports strategic audit planning and the execution of assurance activities across global markets. Prior to joining McDonald’s, Alan served as Director of Global Profit Protection at adidas, leading global retail risk programs, governance standards, and loss prevention strategies across multiple countries.
A Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Alan has experience spanning Europe, USA and Latin America and is passionate about elevating the internal audit profession through innovation, collaboration, and strong stakeholder engagement. He is a firm believer that internal audit is not only an assurance function, but also a people-centered discipline grounded in trust, communication, and fact-based insight. He also holds the Project Fundamentals Qualification from the Association for Project Management (APM), supporting his structured and disciplined approach to leading and managing audit engagements.
Inspired by the legacy of his late father, who served the IIA for more than 30 years, Alan is committed to supporting the growth of the internal audit community and the development of future leaders.