The best credit union audit and compliance conferences 2024

Audit and risk management are crucial to the success—and survival—of credit unions.

Especially in today’s environment of remote work, artificial intelligence (AI), and spotlight on liquidity, auditors need to stay up to date on the latest industry knowledge, trends, and best practices.

One way to accomplish this is by attending conferences. Conferences are great opportunities to network with peers, learn from experts, and gain new insights and perspectives. Often, they also offer much-needed educational credits.

Below are a few of the most interesting and relevant conferences for credit union auditors in 2024.

1. Internal Audit Certification School with ACUARP

America’s Credit Unions (formerly CUNA and NAFCU) partners with the Association of CU Audit and Risk Professionals (ACUARP) to offer a conference, plus training and certification for credit union auditors.

This conference is geared toward credit union internal auditors, compliance staff, COOs, and CEOs.

• When: March 18–21, 2024
• Where: Tempe, AZ
• Hotel: Tempe Mission Palms

Learn more and register here: https://www.cuna.org/events/internal-audit-certification.html  

2. Association of Credit Union Audit and Risk Professionals

Formerly, this was the Association of Credit Union Internal Auditors (ACUIA). They’ve updated to the Association of Credit Union Audit and Risk Professionals (ACUARP).

Either way you name it, their Annual Conference & One-Day Seminar is one of the premier credit union audit conferences. The conference has a litany of expert presenters who cover a broad range of topics.

Additionally, the ACUARP includes a one-day seminar for Certified Credit Union Internal Auditor (CCUIA) recertification. If it’s near time for you to recertify, this extra day will give you all the credits you need.

Bonus: I’ll be speaking at this event. My session it titled How to Leverage AI Tools for Credit Union Internal Auditors.

If you attend only one conference this year, the ACUIA may be the one for you. My talk alone might be worth the price of entry!

• When: June 18–21, 2024
• Where: Chicago, IL
• Hotel: The Hyatt Recency Chicago Downtown

Learn more and register here: https://www.acuarp.org/annual-conference-one-day-seminar

3. National Association of Credit Union Supervisory & Auditing Committees

As the name suggests, NACUSAC is aimed towards supervisory and audit committees rather than auditors themselves. Yet there’s enough going on in this organization that auditors should take note as well.

The topics and education that come out of NACUSAC help committees understand how they can approach audits in a more informed and productive way. Often, the subject matter is key to getting alignment and facilitating smoother working relations between all stakeholders in an audit.

If you want your committee members to better understand the work you do (and their role in it), we encourage you to put this conference on their radar:

• When: June12–15, 2024
• Where: San Antonio, TX
• Hotel: Hilton Palacio del Rio

Learn more and register here: https://www.nacusac.org/2024-Annual-Conference 

4. NAFCU Risk Management Seminar

Every year, things change. That’s especially true for credit union technologies, regulations, and risks. This Risk Management Seminar from NAFCU covers everything from interest rate risk to compliance, strategic, credit, and reputational risks.

This conference is aimed toward risk, audit, and compliance staff, as well as C-level executives, mid-level executives, and VPs.

• When: August 12–15, 2024
• Where: Columbus, OH
• Hotel: Hyatt Regency Columbus

Learn more and register here: https://www.nafcu.org/risk 

5. NAFCU Risk Management Seminar

The IIA hosts many conferences—live, virtual, and hybrid—throughout the year. Some of the potentially interesting ones (and their dates) are listed below.

The conference of theirs that may interest you most is their Financial Services Exchange, which is a live–virtual hybrid. In addition to standard conference activities, this event offers discussions with policymakers and perspectives related to—but outside of—the credit union financial system.

If you want a sneak peek at emerging policy—and if you want a voice in shaping it—then this is a can’t miss conference for credit union auditors.

• When: September 23–24, 2024
• Where: Washington D.C.
• Hotel: The Omni Shoreham Hotel

Learn more and register here: https://www.theiia.org/en/events/conference/hybrid-conferences/financial-services-exchange/

Other IIA conferences that may be of use include:

• April 18, virtual: The Analytics and Automation Virtual Conference shows internal audit teams how to leverage data analytics and automation into their practice.
• June 20, virtual: The ESG Virtual Conference will bring topical ESG issues and initiatives to the forefront of audit conversations.
• August 11–14, live: The GRC Conference will cover everything from new technologies like blockchain and AI to ongoing concerns such as remote work and third-party risk management.

6. Compliance & Risk Council Conference

Just because CUNA joined NAFCU to form America’s Credit Unions doesn’t mean that CUNA Councils are going away!

The Compliance & Risk Council Conference has specialized tracks for leadership, compliance, and risk professionals.

• When: September 24–26, 2024
• Where: Chicago, IL
• Hotel: JW Marriott Chicago

Learn more and register here: https://www.cunacouncils.org/content/cuna/councils/events/compliance-and-risk-council-conference.html

7. Compliance & Risk Council Conference

This conference dives into new ideas and hot topics for supervisory committee members and internal auditors. It covers audit from multiple angles, including cybersecurity, governance, risk management, and the economy.

It can also provide Certified Credit Union Supervisory Committee Member (CCUSC) designation, if needed.

This one’s for credit union internal auditors, supervisory committee members, and board members who want to learn more about the supervisory committee.

• When: December 9–11, 2024
• Where: Las Vegas, NV
• Hotel: Park MGM

Learn more and register here: https://www.cuna.org/content/cuna/cuna-org/events/supervisory_committeeinternalauditconference2024.html

Other Opportunities for Credit Union Auditors

In addition to the national conferences above, keep an eye out for regional conferences, workshops, and meetings. Occasionally, you may find an ACUIA event near you, or a credit union league will include something relevant on their schedule.

Also, we recommend the free resources below:

Download our Unresolved Findings Eliminator.

Try our Credit Union Audit Checklist.

Sign up for a free Assessment.