Risk-based operational audits and performance audits require a broad array of competencies. This book provides auditors and risk professionals with the understanding required to improve results during risk-based audits. Mastering the Five Tiers of Audit Competency: The Essence of Effective Auditing is an anthology of powerful risk-based auditing practices. Filled with practical do and don't techniques, it encompasses the interpersonal aspects of risk-based auditing, not just the technical content. This book details the behaviors you need to demonstrate and the habitual actions you need to take at each phase in an audit to manage the people relationships as well as the work itself. Each section of this book is devoted to a component of the audit: planning, detailed risk and control assessment, testing, audit report writing, project management, audit team management, and client relationship management. The book leverages The Whole Person Project, Inc.'s 30 years of hands-on organizational development experience and custom-designed internal audit training programs to aid those just starting out in audit as well as more experienced auditors. It also contains templates you can use to set performance goals and assess your progress towards achieving those goals. This book will spark ideas that can enhance performance, improve working relationships, and make it easier to complete audits that improve your organization's risk management culture and practices. Explaining how to make positive and sustained changes to the way you approach your work, the book includes a summary of the key points and a brief quiz to help you remember salient ideas in each chapter. Presenting proven methods and advice that can help you immediately save time, reduce stress, and produce reliable, quality results, this book is an ideal resource for anyone looking to make positive changes and adopt more productive work habits