Auditing Keynotes and Workshops
Explore the psychology of audit, from advanced critical and higher order thinking and skepticism, to communication, leadership, data science and ethics, specifically tailored for auditors. By integrating the rich insights of psychological science in auditing with advanced thinking principles, these sessions equip auditors with expert skills in problem-solving, high-stakes decision-making, and applied skepticism. From interpreting information and recognizing patterns to strategic thinking, risk assessment, and ethical considerations, auditors learn crucial skills for navigating complex auditing landscapes. Toby has conducted significant studies on auditor thinking and decision-making and has shared these profound insights at hundreds of events, enhancing cognitive capabilities and performance. A keynote speaker at major audit conferences across the U.S., Toby has also been an IIA All-Star Speaker, presented at GAM and GRC conferences, as well as numerous internal corporate and government audit operations.
For pricing and availability, submit a speaking inquiry here
What attendees are saying...
What event organizers are saying...
How These Sessions Are Different
My sessions are dynamic, interactive journeys designed to challenge and expand the way auditors think and work. With a foundation in psychology (PhD) and a rich background working closely with auditors and being a former CPA, my expertise bridges forensic psychology, forensic accounting, and the cognitive sciences to deliver content that truly resonates with audit professionals.
Research-Backed, Results-Driven Presentations
At the core of my sessions is a pioneering scientific study on auditor thinking, an endeavor that has expanded into a dynamic repository of auditor thinking patterns. This ongoing research fuels my interactive presentations, making them not only captivating but also profoundly educational and impactful.
Beyond Technical Knowledge: A Focus on Cognitive Excellence
My philosophy centers on a simple yet profound truth: the value of an auditor’s technical knowledge relies on their ability to think critically and apply that knowledge effectively. My sessions are crafted to enhance this aspect, equipping auditors with the tools to become more efficient, insightful, and impactful in their roles.
Topics Tailored Especially for Auditors
From the psychology of critical thinking in auditing and tackling fraud to effective communication strategies, ethics, and leveraging data science, my presentations cover a wide range of topics crucial for today’s auditors. Each session is tailored to address the most pressing issues and trends in the auditing world, ensuring your team remains at the forefront of the industry.
For pricing and availability, submit a speaking inquiry here
Auditing/Critical Thinking
Thinking Outside the Audit: Innovative Approaches to Uncovering Hidden Risks
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
The highly structured world of auditing provides essential frameworks for accuracy and accountability, but it can also narrow our focus and lead to black-and-white thinking. This session challenges auditors to expand their perspective by understanding the neuropsychology behind creative problem-solving. By exploring how deeply ingrained structures influence our thinking, participants will learn to recognize and overcome mental blocks, enabling them to uncover counterintuitive solutions to complex problems.
Through engaging discussions, practical exercises, and cutting-edge research, this program introduces strategies for broadening cognitive flexibility and identifying risks that traditional methods might miss. Participants will leave with actionable tools to respect the structure of audits while thinking beyond its boundaries, driving deeper insights and strengthening organizational resilience.
Major Subjects:
- Breaking Out of Cognitive Traps: Explore how structured environments can limit perspectives and obscure unconventional solutions.
- Expanding the Auditor’s Mindset: Learn techniques to think creatively and approach problems from fresh angles.
- Neuropsychology of Problem-Solving: Discover how cognitive flexibility and counterintuitive thinking lead to innovative risk identification.
- Identifying Hidden Risks: Develop strategies to spot anomalies and patterns that traditional methods might overlook.
- Balancing Structure and Innovation: Respect the frameworks of auditing while fostering a mindset that looks beyond the checklist.
- Leveraging Technology and Collaboration: Explore how new tools and cross-functional teamwork can enhance risk detection.
Fraud
Fraud in Plain Sight: Why We’re Losing the Fight*
*And what you can do about it
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know. It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so."
Why do fraud schemes so often go undetected, even when the evidence is right in front of us? This session dives deep into the psychology of investigation and auditing, from the perspective of someone who has been on both sides of fraud investigations, revealing how the very ways we are trained to think can obscure fraud rather than expose it. By exploring the traps of over-reliance on tools, misplaced trust, and the pitfalls of narrowed focus, participants will gain a fresh perspective on what it takes to uncover deception.
Through engaging discussions, real-world examples, and an eye-opening simulation, this program offers an innovative approach led by a fraud researcher who has been on both sides of fraud investigations. Attendees will leave with a deeper awareness of how fraud hides in plain sight and actionable methods to uncover what others miss.
Major Subjects:
- The Trust Trap:
Explore how assumptions about trustworthiness and credibility misdirect investigations and allow fraud to flourish undetected. - Blind Spots in Thinking:
Understand the psychological and cognitive limitations that cause investigators to overlook critical clues hiding in plain sight. - Lost in the Evidence:
Examine how over-reliance on tools and data can obscure intuition and deeper analysis, leading to missed opportunities to uncover fraud. - Chasing Shadows:
Discover how focusing on the wrong targets or patterns diverts attention from the real perpetrators and evidence. - The Double-Edged Sword of Tools:
Investigate how the tools and technologies used in audits and investigations, while powerful, can inadvertently narrow focus and obscure critical insights.
Communications
Only as Good as Your Word(s): Great Ideas Require Great Communication
"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
No matter how brilliant your ideas or rigorous your analysis, success hinges on how effectively you communicate. This session explores the psychology of communication, equipping participants with tools to transform complex ideas into messages that resonate, inspire, and drive action. Whether presenting data, pitching ideas, or leading discussions, this program provides strategies to develop executive presence, and elevate your communication to match your expertise.
Through interactive exercises and insights from psychology, participants will learn to bridge gaps in understanding, adapt to diverse audiences, and build influence through clarity and connection. This session tackles key communication challenges, including overcoming perception barriers, crafting compelling messages, and navigating cultural differences in today’s globalized business environment.
Major Subjects:
- What You Say is What They See:
Learn how communication shapes perceptions of competence and credibility, and why clear, intentional messaging is essential. - The Power of Being Understood:
Challenge the old adage that “knowledge is power” and explore why communication is the true driver of influence, connection, and action. - The Perception Gap:
Understand how misaligned assumptions between speakers and listeners lead to communication breakdowns—and how to close the gap. - Communication as Currency:
Discover how effective communication translates into tangible influence and professional success. - Cross-Cultural Connection:
Master strategies for communicating across cultural boundaries, recognizing and adapting to diverse styles and expectations.
Auditing/Personal Development
Rethinking Rational: The Science of Emotional Intelligence in Better Auditing
"In my whole life I've never been good at something I wasn't very interested in. It just doesn't work. There's no substitute for strong interest."
In the realm of auditing, logical reasoning and analytical skills are paramount. However, emerging research reveals that emotional intelligence (EI) is equally critical in enhancing cognitive functions that drive audit quality. This session delves into the science behind EI, illustrating how it sharpens perception, refines prioritization, and elevates decision-making processes essential for auditors.
Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, participants will uncover the profound impact of EI on their professional judgment. The program emphasizes that EI extends beyond empathy, encompassing abilities that improve critical thinking, mitigate unconscious biases, and facilitate a comprehensive understanding of diverse perspectives.
Major Subjects:
- The Emotion-Cognition Connection:
Explore how EI enhances cognitive functions, leading to more effective information processing and decision-making. - Prioritization and Judgment:
Understand how EI aids in setting priorities and making judgments that align with both analytical findings and stakeholder expectations. - Perspective-Taking in Auditing:
Examine how EI facilitates understanding diverse viewpoints, improving client interactions and audit assessments. - Integrating EI into Audit Practice:
Develop practical approaches to incorporate EI skills into daily auditing tasks to enhance overall audit quality.
- The Emotion-Cognition Connection:
Behavioral Ethics
The Concentric Effect: How Tiny Ethical Choices Reshape Organizations
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."
In organizations, every choice—no matter how tiny—plants a seed. These seeds of decision-making, shaped by habits, beliefs, and communication patterns, can grow into a thriving culture of integrity or wither under adverse conditions. This session explores the science of organizational psychology, revealing how ethical decisions spread through psychological contagion, influencing team behaviors, shaping organizational norms, and rippling into broader societal trust.
Participants will dive into the interplay of individual actions, mass psychology, and the conditions that nurture or stifle ethical behaviors. By understanding how habits and communication patterns reinforce or undermine integrity, attendees will uncover strategies to create an environment where ethical decisions flourish and become embedded in the fabric of the organization.
Major Subjects:
- Seeds of Integrity: Learn how tiny ethical actions influence organizational norms and create lasting cultural change.
- Psychological Contagion in Organizations: Explore how beliefs and behaviors spread through teams and amplify their impact.
- The Science of Habits and Communication: Understand how habits and patterns in communication shape ethical decision-making and group dynamics.
- Unconscious Bias in Ethical Choices: Identify hidden biases that affect decisions and learn strategies to counteract them.
- Cultivating Ethical Ecosystems: Discover practical ways to nurture ethical behaviors through leadership, feedback, and environmental conditions.
Auditing-Critical Thinking
Untapped: How Auditors Can be Better Thinkers
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
This highly acclaimed session, tailored specifically for auditors and led by Dr. Toby Groves, embarks on a captivating exploration of the psychological science behind effective audit practices. The session serves as a practical and inspirational call to action, equipping auditors with powerful tools to enhance their thinking when it matters most. It introduces new thinking, daily habits, and advanced strategies that substantially improve judgment and decision-making. Participants will learn to cultivate the foundational cognitive abilities that support the key skills required for auditors, enabling them to perceive insights that remain unnoticed by others.
The course teaches how to dismantle mental blocks and approach problem-solving from fresh perspectives. These same strategies naturally promote confidence, mental clarity, flexibility, and resilience which improves mental well-being and resistance to stress and burnout. Additionally, we will critically evaluate our audit approaches in light of emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, regulatory changes, sustainability, remote auditing, data analytics, fraud detection, and cybersecurity, equipping auditors with the foresight and adaptability required to excel in the evolving audit environment.
Foundational Cognitive Abilities for Exceptional Auditing
- Explore the critical thinking and judgment skills that set great auditors apart. Learn how to cultivate cognitive flexibility, clarity, and insight to identify what others miss and strengthen audit practices.
Advanced Thinking Strategies to Enhance Audit Judgment
- Master innovative strategies to overcome mental blocks, approach problems with fresh perspectives, and significantly improve decision-making in high-stakes audit environments.
The Intersection of Mental Well-being and Audit Excellence
- Discover how confidence, resilience, and mental clarity enhance auditors’ performance while simultaneously reducing stress, combating burnout, and promoting overall well-being.
Preparing for the Future of Auditing: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities
- Gain actionable insights into navigating evolving audit challenges, including artificial intelligence, regulatory shifts, sustainability initiatives, remote auditing, data analytics, fraud detection, and cybersecurity.
Auditor’s Toolkit for Perceiving the Unseen
- Equip yourself with tools and habits that unlock the ability to uncover hidden risks, strengthen fraud detection, and adapt effectively to rapid industry changes, making your audits both innovative and impactful.
Fraud
The New Psychology of Fraud*
*You’ll never think about fraud the same way again
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing."
This transformative session takes audiences deep into the untold details behind fraud—from the unique vantage point of someone who has been both an investigator and a perpetrator. Through gripping, firsthand narratives intertwined with groundbreaking psychological research, this talk challenges everything you think you know about fraud. Conventional investigative techniques often fail because they overlook the most crucial element: the human mind. This session exposes hidden pitfalls in traditional approaches, including how investigative practices can unintentionally empower sophisticated fraud schemes.
As we dismantle the myths surrounding fraud, we’ll uncover how assumptions, biases, and misplaced skepticism can lead even the most ethical individuals astray. With shocking revelations and eye-opening insights, this session invites you to rethink not only fraud but also the systems and beliefs that shape our investigations. It’s a journey that will forever change how you view integrity, ethics, and decision-making under pressure.
Major Subjects:
The Human Element of Fraud: Why Good People Make Bad Decisions
- Explore the psychological drivers that lead ethical individuals into unethical actions and learn how cognitive biases and environmental pressures create the perfect storm for fraud.
The Hidden Costs of Conventional Skepticism
- Discover how well-intentioned investigative skepticism can backfire, creating blind spots that fraudsters exploit and leading investigators to miss critical cues.
Unmasking Myths: The Real Story Behind Fraud Investigations
- Dispel entrenched myths about fraud perpetrators and investigators, and uncover how systemic flaws in the process can derail justice and truth.
Rewriting the Playbook: A New Approach to Fraud Detection
- Learn advanced, psychology-driven techniques that enhance investigative accuracy, minimize bias, and improve outcomes in detecting and preventing fraud.
Behavioral Ethics
Ethics in The Real World
"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either—but right through every human heart."
Codes of ethics, training programs, and “tone at the top” are often heralded as the pillars of ethical behavior in organizations. But do they really work? Research reveals a surprising and uncomfortable truth: these well-intentioned initiatives may not only fail to improve ethical behavior but can actually hinder ethical reasoning and decision-making.
This eye-opening session moves beyond theoretical ideals to explore how people truly make ethical decisions in real-world situations. By examining the psychological and social factors that shape ethical choices, we uncover why individuals sometimes betray their own moral beliefs and how systemic practices can unintentionally encourage unethical behavior. You’ll gain a fresh perspective on ethics and practical strategies to foster genuine integrity, both personally and organizationally.
Through real-world examples, cutting-edge research, and thought-provoking discussions, this session redefines what it means to “do the right thing” and equips you with actionable insights to improve ethical reasoning and behavior in a complex world.
Major Subjects:
The Hidden Costs of Ethics Codes and Training Programs
- Explore how traditional ethics initiatives can unintentionally backfire, leading to complacency, ethical blind spots, and even unethical behavior.
The Truth About “Tone at the Top”
- Unravel the misconceptions around leadership influence, examining why the actions and messaging of leaders often fail to align with their intended ethical goals.
Why Good People Do Bad Things: The Psychology of Ethical Betrayal
- Dive into the cognitive and emotional processes that cause individuals to act against their own ethical beliefs, even when they know it’s wrong.
Building Ethical Resilience: Practical Strategies for Real-World Decisions
Learn how to foster authentic ethical behavior through improved decision-making frameworks, cultural shifts, and personal accountability strategies.
- The Ethics Illusion: How We Misjudge Ourselves and Others
- Investigate the biases and assumptions that distort ethical judgment, including why people often overestimate their own morality while misinterpreting the intentions of others. Learn how these illusions impact decision-making and organizational culture
Auditing-Critical Thinking
The New Psychology of Professional Skepticism
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing."
This transformative session takes audiences deep into the untold details behind fraud—from the unique vantage point of someone who has been both an investigator and a perpetrator. Through gripping, firsthand narratives intertwined with groundbreaking psychological research, this talk challenges everything you think you know about fraud. Conventional investigative techniques often fail because they overlook the most crucial element: the human mind. This session exposes hidden pitfalls in traditional approaches, including how investigative practices can unintentionally empower sophisticated fraud schemes.
As we dismantle the myths surrounding fraud, we’ll uncover how assumptions, biases, and misplaced skepticism can lead even the most ethical individuals astray. With shocking revelations and eye-opening insights, this session invites you to rethink not only fraud but also the systems and beliefs that shape our investigations. It’s a journey that will forever change how you view integrity, ethics, and decision-making under pressure.
Major Subjects:
The Human Element of Fraud: Why Good People Make Bad Decisions
- Explore the psychological drivers that lead ethical individuals into unethical actions and learn how cognitive biases and environmental pressures create the perfect storm for fraud.
The Hidden Costs of Conventional Skepticism
- Discover how well-intentioned investigative skepticism can backfire, creating blind spots that fraudsters exploit and leading investigators to miss critical cues.
Unmasking Myths: The Real Story Behind Fraud Investigations
- Dispel entrenched myths about fraud perpetrators and investigators, and uncover how systemic flaws in the process can derail justice and truth.
Rewriting the Playbook: A New Approach to Fraud Detection
- Learn advanced, psychology-driven techniques that enhance investigative accuracy, minimize bias, and improve outcomes in detecting and preventing fraud.
Enhancing Audit Decisions: Integrating AI and Critical Thinking
This cutting-edge course equips auditors with the vital skills to integrate critical thinking with artificial intelligence, significantly boosting audit task performance, decision-making, and data analysis. Participants will engage with the intersection of cognitive science and AI, leveraging AI’s potential through prompt engineering and critical evaluation of AI outputs. The course features hands-on examples and practical techniques to identify and mitigate biases, uncover logical inconsistencies, and formulate contextually relevant questions for real-world applications
Emotional Intelligence in Auditing: Enhancing Judgment and Communication
Emotional intelligence deeply influences our reasoning, shaping how we prioritize, interpret, and present information. It’s crucial for auditors, affecting judgment and decision-making. This session delves into emotional intelligence’s role in auditing, focusing on enhancing this skill to improve our thinking and effectiveness as auditors. We’ll explore strategies to boost emotional awareness and mastery, vital for navigating audit challenges. Attendees will learn how to elevate their emotional intelligence and communication, key for mastering complex professional interactions and engagements.
We have more data than ever, but what is it really telling us? New technologies and analytical methods detect myriad patterns in our data, but what do they really mean and what decisions can they help us make? Is the underlying data reliable? Is it valid for the purpose you are using it? Cognitive technologies distance us from the context of our data, shrouding the meaning behind the patterns and how to apply the information for effective decision-making. New thinking approaches are required to move beyond simple recognition of correlations to insight into why relationships exist. This session will teach methods that give us the ability to discern the inner character of problems, to recognize why interactions occur, and what decisions can be made with the information.
Seeing Patterns Others Don't
In a world brimming with complexity, the ability to discern how various elements interact and influence each other stands at the heart of innovative problem-solving and sound decision-making. This session promises to unveil the secrets of connectivity, offering a deep dive into the art of systems thinking and pattern recognition. You’ll explore cutting-edge techniques to uncover hidden and unconventional patterns, tackle contradictory evidence with finesse, and master the art of identifying and interpreting intricate connections. Prepare to transform your perspective and develop a keen eye for the patterns that elude others, opening doors to unparalleled insights and strategic advantages.
Finding Fraud is a rare look at fraud from the inside, including the perspectives of auditors that unwittingly helped perpetrators, and Investigators that found themselves on the wrong side of the law. We’ll examine the viewpoints of the victims, forensic psychologists, interrogation experts, perpetrators, fraud researchers, and law enforcement. The session confronts the most persistent challenges we have with fighting fraud today. It presents behind-the-scenes research from multiple perspectives that will challenge everything you thought you knew about fraud.
Best Intentions: Why You Fail to Do What’s Right
A primary reason we fail to do what’s right is that we neglect to see the important ethical aspects of a situation in the first place. Therefore, training our brains to notice the moral and ethical facets of our environment is critical to ethical reasoning. When we are aware of the ethical aspects of a situation, we lack objectivity about our own ethical views and rationalize behavior that supports those views. This class explains the psychology behind why we fail to detect the ethical parts of a decision and what we can do to gain awareness and objectivity to improve ethical reasoning.
The Science of Ethics
This session delves into the fascinating neuroscience behind how our minds work when we face decisions with conflicting motivations or difficult dilemmas for which the best answer is not clear. Attendees will explore real-life dilemmas and learn effective cognitive processes to deal with those dilemmas as revealed by the latest research in neuroscience. The session draws on organizational psychology, cognitive science, psychobiology and even sports psychology to create an immersive experience and unveil the hidden ways our minds perceive and interpret problems.
Advanced Communication Skills for Auditors
Master the nuances of advanced communication in the auditing sphere with this comprehensive course. Delve into the intricacies of both written and verbal communication across in-person and virtual platforms. Develop the skills to present complex audit-related information compellingly and employ storytelling techniques to motivate change. Gain expertise in sophisticated persuasion and negotiation strategies to influence outcomes effectively. Learn the fine art of navigating difficult discussions with tact and learn how to probe deeply with questions that unveil the true intent behind the responses. Acquire techniques to establish immediate trust and adapt your communication style to various cultural contexts. For auditors who aspire to elevate their influence and impact, this course is an essential step towards becoming a formidable communicator.
When the Facts Aren’t Enough: The Art of Communicating Complex Information
Mastering the art of translating complex information into influential insights is a skill that transcends mere data analysis—it’s about crafting narratives that resonate and motivate. Our session, ‘When the Facts Aren’t Enough,’ focuses on the nuanced art of making intricate data accessible and compelling, even to those unfamiliar with the subject matter. This expertise signifies not just an in-depth comprehension of the data but a profound insight into its real-world implications and how it’s perceived by diverse audiences. By adopting the perspectives of your listeners and embodying their experiences, this interactive workshop delves into the cognitive strategies and thinking paradigms essential for clear, impactful communication. Participants will emerge with enhanced abilities to convey their knowledge persuasively, ensuring their messages are not just heard but felt and acted upon
Unearthing vital information, demystifying assumptions, and revealing the intricacies of actions are the hallmarks of masterful audit interviews. These interactions provide a unique chance to navigate through narratives as they emerge and to pose impactful questions that extract critical insights. The art of the audit interview extends beyond mere conversation—it is a strategic tool for investigation, understanding, and essential information gathering. In this session, you’ll learn the subtleties of adopting an effective interpersonal style, formulating incisive questions that go beyond surface answers, interpreting non-verbal communication, and adjusting your approach to suit various cultural contexts. Participants will depart equipped with the most current behavioral research tools to conduct audit interviews that deliver results.
The Science of Great Leadership
Leadership skills have never been more important, in all industries and at all levels, whether executive or front-line employees. Organizations succeed in meaningful ways when their individual members have the ability to inspire action, build trust, solve complex problems, coordinate effective teams, and resolve contentious conflicts without damaging important relationships. This requires a deep understanding of human motivation, emotional intelligence, and nuances of cultural psychology. This session teaches a powerful model that allows attendees to build their own core leadership skills as well as the psychology of performance and motivation and the social psychology of organizational behavior.
The Science of Organizational Culture and Decision-Making
Equity and diversity across neurodiversity, racial and ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and ages enrich social networks, fostering deep learning, flexible thinking, and long-term organizational health and wellness. Diverse teams, embracing a spectrum of perspectives, achieve higher satisfaction, superior decision-making, and elevated performance. Discover the science that enhances social networks and learn to embed social standards and norms promoting equity and inclusivity. Master strategies for building a culture that encourages personal responsibility in shaping group norms and attitudes essential for embracing a broad spectrum of diversity, driving collective success.