Communication

Every position at every level of a public accounting firm involves communicating with others. Effective communicators know that the key to success is being flexible to your audience, whether it is a one-on-one conversation, or communicating within a group.

This course examines the importance of effective communication skills when interfacing with clients, partners, colleagues, staff, and other key stakeholders. Participants will be introduced to a four-quadrant framework of communication styles and will identify and assess their own style. In becoming aware of their own personal style and discussing the advantages and limitations of each of the four styles, participants will learn how to successfully adjust their communication approach to their audience. This course also shares effective strategies for handling difficult situations and managing difficult conversations. Adaptability and versatility in working with others are vital skills for success.

Individuals with an exceptional ability to persuade are more likely to get buy-in and cooperation from their clients and teams. They are more likely to have their ideas, recommendations, and proposals carried out. Persuasion is a powerful communication technique that can enhance dealings with key stakeholders, including boards of directors, executive management, colleagues, customers, suppliers, regulators and investors.

This course explains the fundamental elements of persuasion. It introduces persuasion techniques and, focuses on how to use them effectively in oral communication (involving one-on-one settings, small groups, and formal presentations) and in written communication (involving reports, memos, and emails).

Every position at every level of an organization involves negotiating with others. Accordingly, individuals who have strong negotiating skills are better equipped to perform effectively in whatever position they hold. Collaborative negotiations actually strengthen, not weaken, important relationships with key stakeholders, including with management, colleagues, and staff.

This course focuses on three important aspects of negotiating. It explains the nature and application of different approaches to negotiating. It highlights different communication styles and explains how each style can affect the negotiating process. It highlights barriers to successful negotiating and offers guidance on how to avoid or manage those barriers.

An interview is a meeting at which one person obtains information from another through a series of questions and answers. Auditors conduct many interviews during every audit; they conduct them as part of planning an audit, performing fieldwork, and reporting an audit’s results. Auditors who understand and follow good interviewing techniques typically obtain more and better information … and they do so more quickly. As a result, they help to make their audits more effective and more efficient.

This course explores the role of interviewing as an essential audit tool for gathering information, especially audit evidence. It explains the basic principles of successful interviewing. It demonstrates techniques for planning, conducting and following up interviews carried out in-person or remotely using virtual video or audio conferencing capabilities. Finally, it shares strategies for dealing successfully with potentially difficult situations and interviewees that auditors occasionally encounter. Participants will improve their abilities to manage difficult conversations, including for suddenly difficult circumstances when auditors need to “think on their feet”.

To be truly effective in their roles, auditors must be effective communicators. A key aspect to this is the auditor’s ability to write in a style that is clear, easy to read, and fosters acceptance and appreciation for their findings and reports.

This course revisits the importance of effective writing and provides participants with the opportunity to analyze and critique writing samples. It reviews key principles that apply to all writing, including audit reports, memos, and emails.

Almost everyone has to make presentations at some point in their business and personal lives. The presentations may be short or long, formal, or informal, prepared in advance or improvised on the spot. Audiences may be big or small, friendly, or challenging. The stakes may be high or low. Whatever the circumstances, there are steps that first-time presenters and experienced veterans can take to develop and deliver better presentations with more confidence and greater success. Master the art of delivering highly effective presentations.

This course addresses the need to define a presentation’s goals and to know the needs and expectations of its audience. It examines how to structure a presentation, decide on its content, and give it an appropriate tone and pace. It demonstrates how to prepare and use audio-visual aids. It outlines techniques for managing stress and delivering a presentation confidently and professionally. Learn how to “think on your feet” to respond to questions and challenges effectively.