SFD enhances awareness of internal auditing in govt entities

This initiative is part of the comprehensive strategy of the SFD to promote sound governance and financial transparency in Sharjah by fostering a culture of oversight aimed at improving institutional performance and ensuring that all entities and companies adhere to the highest financial and administrative standards.

Ensuring Transparency and Efficiency in Government Work
Nada Shuhail, Director of the Internal Audit Office at the Sharjah Finance Department, said: "Internal auditing is one of the essential pillars for ensuring transparency and efficiency in government work. Through this initiative, we aim to increase the awareness of government and corporate employees in the Emirate of Sharjah about the importance of this activity and its key role in supporting sound governance. We believe that improving institutional efficiency requires a culture of accountability and transparency, and internal auditing is the optimal tool to achieve this.”
She added, “At the SFD, we are committed to providing all necessary support to develop the skills of government employees and enable them to understand the role and importance of internal auditing in improving performance. Through this initiative, we also aim to enhance cooperation among various entities to ensure the highest standards of quality in government performance.”

Standards and Guidelines Aligned with Global Best Practices
The workshop focused on several key topics related to internal auditing and risk management due to the close connection between the two. The workshop began with a comprehensive introduction to the concept of internal auditing, explaining its nature and importance in supporting institutional governance and ensuring transparency and efficiency in government entities and companies.
The workshop also addressed the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) for internal auditing, highlighting the standards and guidelines it provides to assist auditors in carrying out their work following global best practices. The internal audit charter, including its principles outlining objectives, authority, and responsibilities, was also explained, along with the services offered by internal auditing to support government entities and companies in achieving their institutional goals.

Types and Tasks of Internal Auditing
One of the aspects covered in the workshop was an overview of the types of internal auditing, such as financial, operational, and compliance audits, with an explanation of how to plan for each type based on a risk assessment framework. The steps for planning an internal audit were discussed, including the development of an annual plan based on risk evaluation, with visual aids provided to simplify the planning process and the execution of activities.

Another important topic addressed in the workshop was the execution of internal audit tasks. The workshop explained the process from planning to implementation and follow-up, including identifying and categorizing observations and ensuring their resolution by the concerned organizational units. Emphasis was placed on the importance of meticulous planning for each audit task to achieve the desired goals.

The workshop also discussed the powers of the Internal Audit Office and the role it plays in improving institutional performance. The importance of continuous professional development for office members was stressed to ensure they remain up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of internal auditing.

Practical Tools to Improve Institutional Performance and Ensure Compliance with Professional Standards
Regarding enterprise risk management, the workshop provided an explanation of the concept and charter of risk management, in addition to outlining the basic steps that should be followed when implementing a risk management process. The role of internal controls in government entities and companies was also covered, as well as the importance of integration between risk management and internal auditing to ensure institutional goals are achieved effectively and efficiently.

These topics helped raise participants’ awareness of the importance of internal auditing and risk management, equipping them with practical tools that can be applied to improve institutional performance and ensure adherence to approved professional standards.

Widespread Response
The initiative has received a wide response from government entities and companies in the Emirate of Sharjah, with a large number of employees participating in the training workshops organized by the Sharjah Finance Department. Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the role of internal auditing and its importance in enhancing efficiency and transparency within their institutions.