Reporting Procedures, Implementation of Recommendations, and the Future of the Auditing Profession.
The National Audit Office (NAO) is organizing its second symposium, “Audit and Partnership” to be held over two days at the end of this month with participation and attendance from representatives of ministries, institutions, government entities covered by its audit and relevant authorities.
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Auditor General of the NAO, said, “The second NAO symposium comes after the success of the first symposium, which was held in early 2020 which resulted in positive outcomes and benefits for its participants. This time we are hoping that the participants, the entities they represent, and the NAO will benefit even more from this event”.
The Audit and Partnership symposium comes as the NAO celebrates its 20th anniversary as it was established in 2002 as one of the outcomes of the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and began its mission in 2003.
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed stated that the symposium included lectures and working papers from audit experts from the NAO and outside, while more space was given to topics that discussed the future of the auditing profession especially regarding technological aspects, digital empowerment and the security and protection of information.
He added, "Through its symposium, the NAO seeks to promote the concept of auditing, contribute to increasing knowledge and awareness of scientific aspects, raise the level of skills and capabilities of employees concerned with auditing and financial affairs in ministries, government agencies, and entities subject to its audit, and demonstrate the importance of cooperation and dealing with audit reports as best as possible."
He continued that the symposium also aimed to give an overview of the NAO’s work procedures, its specializations and tasks, the procedures for preparing reports and following up on the implementation of recommendations, international auditing standards and practices, and the latest developments and trends in the field of auditing.
He indicated that sessions would take place over two days: Topics on the first day were aimed at executive employees (deputies, assistant undersecretaries, managers, CEOs, directors, consultants), while topics discussed on the second day would target technical employees (auditors, accountants, legal employees).
Furthermore, H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed praised the excellent coordination and the fruitful and productive cooperation between the NAO and the ministries and government agencies subject to its audit, which reflected positively on the NAO’s audit work, the quality of audit reports issued, and the percentage of recommendations implemented by various entities.
In addition, H.E. stressed that achieving control over the soundness and legality of the use of public funds and its proper management was accomplished in partnership with the entities covered by its audit as they worked as one team with the aim to protect public funds and he pointed to the positive approach followed by the NAO when preparing its reports.
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed indicated that the NAO applied international auditing standards especially those issued by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), when carrying out its work.
