# Audit Evidence and Documentation Course Canonical URL: ## Overview To meet Government Auditing Standards, performance audit findings and recommendations must be supported and properly documented by sufficient, appropriate evidence. Learn the types of evidence; the tests that evidence must meet; alternative methods for collecting and documenting each type of evidence, to include the use of structured data collection instruments; and the benefits of referencing. Learn how your audit objectives and design strategy affect the evidence required to conduct an audit. ## What you'll learn - Identify and apply the Government Auditing Standards that pertain to audit evidence and documentation. - Describe the tests, types, and sources of evidence, how evidence is collected, and how it can be documented, to include the use of data collection instruments. - Apply appropriate methods in collecting and recording evidence to ensure its reliability. - Describe the purpose, types and forms, basic principles, and information elements of audit documentation. - Explain reasons and demonstrate methods for indexing, safeguarding, and cross-referencing audit documentation. - Describe responsibilities for supervisory review of audit documentation and the benefits of referencing the audit report to the documentation. - Plan an audit to identify and obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence that will satisfy the audit’s objectives using a step-by-step process. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Role of Evidence in Auditing - Explain the bedrock role of evidence in achieving the purpose of performance auditing. - Distinguish three approaches for doing performance audits. - Define a finding, and the elements of two finding frameworks. #### Module 2: Evidence Types and Sources - Distinguish the types of evidence and explain their relevance to auditors. - Describe the strengths and weaknesses of each type of evidence. - Cite the generic sources for each type of evidence. #### Module 3: Evidence Tests - Describe the tests that evidence must meet. - Describe a basis for judging that evidence meets those tests, particularly as the tests relate to evidence supporting each finding element. - Determine if the tests are met for evidence in case study scenarios. #### Module 4: Evidence Collection Methods - Describe common methods for collecting and recording each type of evidence. - Explain the purpose of data collection instruments and describe how such instruments are constructed to obtain physical, documentary, and testimonial evidence. #### Module 5: Assuring Evidence Reliability - Use methods in collecting and recording evidence that will assure the reliability of that evidence. - Describe and apply logical methods for testing the reliability of systems data obtained from the auditee, testimonial data, and analytical evidence. #### Module 6: Evidence Documentation - Cite the standard for preparation of audit documentation. - Describe the purpose, content, information elements, and preparation principles of audit documentation. - Index and cross-reference audit documentation using one of several methods. - Explain the purpose of referencing the audit report. - Prepare audit documentation that follows generally accepted preparation principles and includes the requisite information elements. #### Module 7: Reviewing and Safeguarding Audit Documentation - Describe the responsibilities for supervising the conduct of audit work. - Explain the responsibilities for supervisory review of audit documentation. - Identify critical practices for the safeguarding of audit documentation. - Identify special practices for the safeguarding and handling of electronic and classified audit documentation. #### Module 8: Case Study: Defining Audit Objectives - Describe the phases in performance auditing. - Explain the potential purposes of the survey phase. - Explain the role of objectives in the planning phase. - Define objectives for a case study. #### Module 9: Case Study: Planning for Evidence Collection - List the tasks in planning an audit to collect evidence that will achieve the audit’s objectives. - Describe how to document the design using a design matrix. ## Schedule - Jun 30, 2026 – Jul 1, 2026 — Live Online - Jul 27, 2026 – Jul 28, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 17, 2026 – Aug 18, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 1, 2026 – Sep 2, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 19, 2026 – Oct 20, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 3, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Mark Gebicke — Instructor Mark E. Gebicke is an accomplished consultant and instructor with over 50 years of experience in auditing, leadership, and federal program evaluation. A retired Senior Executive from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Mark spent two decades in GAO's Senior Executive Service, where he led performance reviews and provided congressional testimony on critical issues for agencies such as NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice. His expertise spans personnel, readiness, logistics, budget, operations, anti-terrorism, and weapon systems, as well as performance reviews for agencies like the Federal Reserve, U.S. Postal Service, and Department of Energy. In addition to his auditing and consulting work, Mark has been a dedicated instructor at Graduate School USA since 2008. He draws on his extensive experience to teach courses on auditing techniques, leadership, and project management. During his tenure at GAO, he also developed and implemented the agency's Professional Development Program, managing over 200 new staff annually and mentoring Senior Executive Service candidates. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from High Point University and a Master of Science in Governmental Administration from George Washington University, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to both GAO and Graduate School USA. ### Penny Popps — Instructor Penny N. Popps is an exceptional leader with 20+ years of private and public sector experience and expertise in the field of accounting, audit, compliance, risk management, fraud, and internal controls. She is the recipient of multiple public service, appreciation, recognition, and performance awards. And she’s currently devoted to teaching Financial Management courses at Graduate School USA as an Instructor. During her almost 15 years as a Federal Government Public Servant, she had many pivotal transformational leadership roles including being the 1st Fraud Risk Manager at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) where she successfully helped to mature its Fraud Risk Management Program. She has a B.B.A in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman’s University, Advanced Technical Certificate in Professional Accountancy from Dallas College, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) Financial Management Certifications along with an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Certification. Prior to SBA, she had a career at HUD that spans over six years managing projects that ensured the successful and efficient delivery of affordable, safe, and decent housing to U.S. citizens along with safeguarding HUD's programs from fraud, waste, and abuse. While at HUD she led multiple audit teams in the execution of complex quality control reviews of independent public accounting firms (Single Audits), CIGIE reviews, financial assessments, staffing studies, annual OMB A-123 risk assessment reviews for the Accountability, Integrity, & Risk (AIR) Program, etc. During her Federal Government career, she also was the Branch Chief of Financial Reporting at the DHS ICE OCFO, Office of FM-Financial Service Center. She oversaw the operations of both the Payroll and Fund Balance with Treasury Units for all DHS ICE components which processed approximately $5.2B in payroll transactions and reconciled $10.1B in cash transactions, achieving improved optimization of FM. For many years, she also successfully led and supervised audit teams at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in which she recovered millions in questioned costs owed from contractors. And within state government, she recovered millions of sales and use tax dollars owed to the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts as she led various audits. All of her efforts ensured that taxpayer dollars were being utilized reasonably and efficiently. Popps’ many years of experience in the private sector included helping to build successful internal audit divisions at major corporations such as Essilor Group and Fossil Group. During her career, she continues to gain expertise and knowledge while paying it forward by mentoring, coaching, and training those new to the accounting, audit, compliance, risk management, fraud, and internal controls industries. Popps is very passionate about all her philanthropy and volunteer efforts, especially with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Junior League of Washington. It’s her mission to continue to provide service to all mankind during her career, in retirement, and throughout her life. She currently resides in Alexandria, VA and spends her leisure time reading. ### Lyndon S. Remias — Instructor Lyndon Remias is a trailblazer in the field of government auditing, known for his integrity, leadership, and commitment to public accountability. With over 28 years of experience spanning public, private, and governmental sectors, Lyndon has built a reputation as a trusted expert in financial oversight and risk management. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)—credentials that reflect both his technical mastery and dedication to excellence. Lyndon’s career includes impactful roles at organizations such as the City of Virginia Beach, Amerigroup Corporation, Eastern Virginia Medical School, NEXCOM, Auditor of Public Accounts, and KPMG, where he honed his skills in operational auditing, compliance, and performance evaluation. His leadership extended into public service when he was elected to the Virginia Beach School Board, demonstrating his commitment to community engagement and education. A passionate educator and thought leader, Lyndon has served as a seminar instructor for the Graduate School and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), earning recognition as a Distinguished Instructor for his engaging delivery and deep subject matter expertise. He has presented at numerous professional conferences and has held key leadership positions within the IIA and the Virginia Local Government Auditors Association (VLGAA), including serving as President of both organizations. Currently, Lyndon contributes to the profession as a peer review team leader for the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA), helping ensure audit quality and ethical standards across the country. A proud graduate of Old Dominion University, Lyndon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. In 2013, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from ODU’s Accounting Department for his outstanding contributions to the profession and the university. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1049