New Grant Will Help Students Develop In-demand Accounting Skills

The university has received $28,000 from the Internal Audit Foundation and the Greater Boston Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors to strengthen its Internal Audit Education Partnership curriculum and fund a graduate assistant to support and advance the program.

“The grant will allow us to develop an ‘Audit in a Box’ case study where students will work with current practitioners who serve as project mentors,” says Joy Gray, the coordinator of the university’s internal audit education partnership and a lecturer in the Department of Accountancy. “This simulated internal audit project will allow students to practice skills that are in high demand among employers: interpersonal skills such as project management, communication and influencing, along with analyzing a large data set. Project mentors will provide feedback throughout the process, similar to a practice setting. This allows students to gain understanding of the internal audit profession while practicing skills that are useful in all areas of business. “

Schools that are members of the Internal Audit Education Partnership teach an internal auditing curriculum within a degree program (undergraduate or post-graduate) that is endorsed by The Institute of Internal Auditors. The schools go through an application process and are monitored by the Institute’s Academic Relations Committee. Bentley is one of 49 Internal Audit Education Partnership programs worldwide.

Students in the program can complete part 1 of the Certified Internal Auditor examination and be designated as an Internal Audit Practitioner, signaling to employers that they are ready to conduct internal audits immediately. Students can then go on to complete parts 2 and 3 of the exam and gain the necessary experience to become a certified internal auditor.