Audit writing skills elevated across Morgan Stanley's global Internal Audit division from foundational writing to advanced reporting.
CHALLENGES
Morgan Stanley's global Internal Audit division needed to raise writing standards across a large, internationally distributed team. Reports varied in clarity, structure, and tone, making it harder to communicate findings consistently to senior leadership and regulatory audiences.
SOLUTIONS
Instructional Solutions designed a two-phase audit writing program, fully customized to Morgan Stanley's documents and internal audit environment.
Phase 1: Audit Writing for the Full Division
A custom self-paced online course was deployed to more than 200 Internal Audit professionals globally. Built around Morgan Stanley's actual audit documents, the course addressed workpapers, findings, executive summaries, and recommendations with individualized written instructor feedback for every participant.
Phase 2: Advanced Technical Report Writing for Senior Auditors
Selected senior Internal Audit professionals received advanced instruction in technical report writing for high-stakes internal audit reporting.
OUTCOMES
Audit writing skills measurably elevated
Before training, 66% of participants rated themselves as ‘Adequate’ writers. After training, zero participants remained at ‘Adequate’ , 85% reported major skill, and 14% reported expert-level proficiency. Every single participant improved their skill level.
Near-perfect satisfaction and immediate application
100% of participants found the course materials clear. 100% rated instructor feedback ‘very helpful’ or ‘helpful. ’ Participants planned to apply the six-step process immediately to workpapers, executive summaries, and daily audit communications.
Fewer manager rewrites needed
Three months after the training, managers reported that they didn't need to rewrite their team's reports before submitting them to senior leadership.