Projects and Contractors Audit Training: Control Strategies

Why This Course

Construction projects are among the most complex and high-risk investments for organizations, involving large budgets, multiple contractors, intricate contracts, and frequent changes. As project values increase, so do expectations for transparency, cost control, and strong governance. Effective construction auditing is no longer optional—it is essential to protecting budgets, managing risk, and ensuring projects deliver real value.

The Construction Projects & Contractor Auditing Excellence Program is an intensive five-day training designed for auditors, project managers, contract professionals, and governance specialists working in complex construction environments. The program provides a practical, end-to-end understanding of construction auditing—from project lifecycles and contract structures to cost auditing, change order review, and professional audit reporting.

Participants gain proven tools, risk-based audit frameworks, and hands-on experience that enable them to identify issues early, control costs, and contribute meaningfully to successful project delivery.

What You’ll Learn and Practice

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand construction project lifecycles and the risks inherent in each phase
• Apply risk-based audit methodologies to construction projects and contractors
• Identify cost control gaps and detect potential overcharges or billing errors
• Audit construction contracts and change orders using best-practice techniques
• Conduct effective construction audits and communicate findings with clarity and impact
• Add measurable value to projects through actionable audit insights

The Program Flow (5-Day Structure)

Day 1 – Introduction to Construction Auditing

• Overview of the construction industry and major project types
• Construction project lifecycles from planning to close-out
• Identifying and assessing key risks in construction projects
• Roles and responsibilities of auditors, project teams, and contractors
• Introduction to construction contracts and procurement methods

Day 2 – Risk-Based Audit Approach

• Developing a risk-based construction audit plan
• Identifying critical risk areas across all project phases
• Audit techniques for planning, execution, and close-out stages
• Case study: Applying a risk-based audit approach to a construction project

Day 3 – Cost Control & Contract Management

• Auditing cost-plus and time-and-materials contracts
• Identifying common billing errors and cost overcharges
• Contract review and analysis techniques
• Best practices for strengthening construction cost control

Day 4 – Change Order Auditing

• Understanding the change order lifecycle and approval processes
• Auditing lump-sum and unit-price change orders
• Evaluating labor rates, material pricing, and productivity claims
• Detecting, preventing, and responding to change order fraud

Day 5 – Advanced Topics & Practical Application

• Auditing contractor-controlled insurance programs (CCIP / OCIP)
• IT systems and data considerations in construction project audits
• Writing clear, professional, and actionable audit reports
• Workshop: Conducting a full mock construction audit

Individual Impact

Participants will leave the program with:

• The ability to design and execute effective construction audit plans
• Practical tools to identify and recover potential cost overcharges
• Stronger skills in contract and change order auditing
• Improved collaboration with project teams and contractors
• Greater confidence in delivering high-impact audit results

Organizational Impact

Organizations will benefit through:

• Enhanced governance and oversight of construction projects
• Improved cost control and reduced financial risk
• Stronger contract and change order management practices
• Clear, actionable audit reporting that supports decision-making
• More consistent, predictable, and successful project outcomes

Training Methodology

This program uses an applied, interactive learning approach, including:

• Real-world construction audit case studies
• Hands-on workshops and practical audit exercises
• Tools, templates, and audit frameworks for immediate use
• Group discussions and scenario-based problem-solving
• Expert-led sessions connecting best practices to real project challenges

Beyond the Course

After completing the program, participants will be ready to:

• Lead construction audit engagements with confidence and professionalism
• Strengthen cost control and contract oversight across projects
• Identify risks early and prevent costly issues before they escalate
• Support stronger accountability, transparency, and value for money in construction projects