Tag: capacity building

The Global Summit on SAI Audits Contributing to Digitalisation and Sustainability, held on November 18-19, 2024, in Tbilisi, Georgia, marked a significant milestone in the collective efforts of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) worldwide towards current and emerging trends about sustainability and digitalisation. Hosted by SAI Georgia and the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), the Summit welcomed a diverse group of leaders, including SAIs, international organisations, academia, and other key stakeholders. 

Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) aim to make a difference in the lives of citizens. For SAIs operating in challenging contexts, reaching this lofty aim is not always obvious. In 2018 the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), African Organisation of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E), and African Organisation of French-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (CREFIAF), came up with a groundbreaking model to support SAIs operating in challenging contexts.

“Docendo discimus.” When we teach, we learn. Has your Supreme Audit Institute (SAI) considered developing a “Leaders-as-Teachers” program? Under a Leaders-as-Teachers program, experienced analysts and auditors step into the classroom to teach newer staff how to perform key audit tasks. Effective teaching by experienced auditors who have “been there and done that” helps staff to learn, remember, and, most importantly, apply the course material. Building on adult learning principles that adults learn best when they are interested and involved, instructors facilitate discussion of the material through thoughtful, probing questions and they teach using dynamic, on-point lectures, vivid language, illustrative examples, and storytelling with messages that stick. The result is curious, engaged learners who are excited to learn more about the topic. 

As Auditor General, I have had the privilege of overseeing our national audit office during a period of change and significant challenges. As I reflect on my seven years in office, there are several key themes and lessons learned that I find to be essential for the ongoing development and effectiveness of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) globally.

On July 11, 16 international professionals from Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) graduated from the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) International Auditor Fellowship Program (IAFP). The 2024 fellows represent the countries of Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Georgia, India, Kosovo, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ukraine.

Since 2020, the Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil (TCU) has been structuring a policy of professional trajectories, with the aim of greater professionalization of its auditors. A professional trajectory is defined as the sequence of positions or roles occupied throughout the functional life of an auditor, encompassing qualifications, experiences, and competencies necessary to perform functions at a certain career level.

28 years after its creation by the Cameroonian constitution of 1996 and 20 years after the effective start of its activities, the Chamber of Accounts (or in French, the Chambre des Comptes) of the Supreme Court of Cameroon continues its transformation into a modern public auditing institution with the support of its peers and technical and financial partners.

One of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI)’s programme activities is to ensure all member supreme audit institutions (SAIs) develop and implement their own comprehensive and realistic strategic plans. However, SAIs may lack the ability and capacity to develop their own strategic and operational plans, as well as establish frameworks to monitor and report on their performance against these plans. In February 2023, three member SAIs did not have a strategic plan, and five had strategic plans that were set to expire within the year. 

As the largest archipelagic nation in the world, with a length of approximately one-eighth of the Earth’s circumference, Indonesia’s smaller islands boast rich cultural diversity, economic intricacies, and unique environmental contexts. This article delves into the complexities auditors face when undertaking audit tasks on these diminutive, yet economically significant islands. From grappling with limited infrastructure and navigating the geographical remoteness to understanding the economic intricacies of industries that shape these islands, auditors are confronted with a tapestry of challenges that demand a tailored and astute auditing approach.

After the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) of Fiji established a Quality Assurance (QA) function in 2017, the benefits went beyond assurance that the SAI’s audit engagements complied with ISSAIs. It also enabled the SAI to implement improvements to its audit methodology and Quality Control (QC) system.

In September 2017, the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten experienced a catastrophic natural disaster as Hurricane Irma made landfall. The aftermath saw the island’s infrastructure significantly damaged or destroyed. Except for the military, communication, such as the Internet and mobile networks, were available intermittently, leading to sporadic contact with external entities. Efforts were quickly made to evacuate tourists and other visitors from the island while coordinating the arrival of humanitarian aid to provide shelter, food, and support to the impacted residents.

Papua New Guinea is by far the largest of the developing island nations in the PASAI network. Its infrastructure is deficient, with inconsistent internet and power supply nationwide. Efforts are underway to construct a highway network that will connect the mountainous country, but once completed, maintenance may prove problematic due to landslides, tropical weather and seismic activity. 

In the Federated States of Micronesia, the Yap State Office of the Public Auditor (OPA) is dealing with staffing challenges that are, unfortunately, not uncommon for the Pacific Island region. 

Public sector auditing on small islands presents unique challenges, ranging from limited resources and capacity constraints, to susceptibility to national and environmental disasters, highlighting the complexity of ensuring accountability and transparency in these geographically constrained and vulnerable regions.

During the 12th Caribbean Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (CAROSAI) Congress in Aruba, the Capacity Building Committee meeting at the 24th INCOSAI conference in Brazil, and the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation meetings in Jamaica, the Court of Audit Aruba had the opportunity of sharing its results and experiences in conducting the SAI Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) assessment. This assessment played a pivotal role in shaping SAI Aruba’s strategic direction, and subsequently, initiated a systematic capacity-building process supported by active participation in the IDI’s Strategy, Performance, Measurement and Reporting (SPMR) initiative.

In 2022-23, the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) commissioned the Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation (CAAF), to support the design and implementation of performance management systems for the Office of the National Auditor of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Pohnpei Office of the Public Auditor.

Learn about the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation’s Brokering Upscaled SAI Support (BUSS) and Global SAI Accountability Initiative (GSAI) Initiatives.

Amongst the many things the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation (IDC) does to strengthen support to the SAI community, the IDC’s brokerage activities have helped connect SAIs with resources, guidance, and partnerships from donors, peer partners, and other organizations. The INTOSAI Development Initiative’s (IDI) Global Foundations Unit leads this work with the goal of enhancing the capacity of SAIs to lead their own development initiatives. 

Under a common headline of Partnering for stronger SAIs, and enhanced PFM, the INTOSAI Capacity…

Major donors, supreme audit institutions (SAIs), the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), and key stakeholders gathered…

After 40 years of conducting its International Auditor Fellowship Program (fellows program) in-person, the U.S….

The first Kimi Makwetu Award was presented to the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) by the…