The Interview … sets the tone for an audit and can often make or break its success!  They say it’s all about first impressions and, in the world of audit, the interview is our chance to make that crucial first impression.  As auditors, the interview is not only an important tool to gain invaluable information, but also to establish relationships, build rapport, and gain credibility with the audit client, particularly Front Office clients. 

This half-day class focuses on developing essential interviewing skills, but specifically concentrates on refining the skills necessary for successful interviews with the Investment management staff including portfolio managers, investment analysts, traders, investment consultants, etc. We also will discuss the critical interview approaches with Investment Risk Management, Investment operations and Investment accounting.  A good interview can be the first step in developing a solid working partnerships with the Investment teams. An unsuccessful and/or unprepared interview can significantly damage an otherwise good relationship and an auditor’s future credibility.

COURSE FEATURES

• Review interviewing techniques and how to develop the interviewing skills essential for successful investments audits. 
• Review the key areas to cover in Front, Middle and Back Office interviews and how to develop effective questions for these interviews.
• Learn ‘market lingo’ used by portfolio managers and traders that often throws auditors off track in discussions with the Front Office. 
• Discuss first-hand experience of the instructor, a former portfolio manager, and how she has managed sometimes challenging Front Office personalities. 
• Evaluate how to best handle difficult topics in interviews and how to turn around a conversation that has headed south. 
• Learn how to detect when potential audit issues are discussed in an interview and how to effectively obtain the most useful information while remaining very cautious of what you say and how you react. 

COURSE OUTLINE

Understanding the Interviewing Process in Investments Audits

• Interviewing Defined: What it is and What it is Not!
• Interview Types to Use in Investment Audits.
• Problems Auditors Encounter in the Interviewing Process.

Developing the Skills Necessary to Conduct Successful Front Office Interviews

• Developing Communication Skills
• Understanding Non-Verbal Communication and Interpreting Deception
• Review ‘Trader Lingo’ to Know Prior to Conducting Front Office Interviews

• Keeping up with Technical Topics and Unfamiliar Terms during Interviews

When the Unexpected Happens . . .

• Establishing Rapport with Difficult Personalities
• Counter-measures for when Interviews Derail
• What if you Suspect Fraud?