State Financial, Administrative Audit Authority marks internal audit awareness month

Muscat: The State Financial and Administrative Audit Authority joins government and private entities around the world in marking the Internal Audit Awareness Month, which is observed in May of each year.

This celebration aims to highlight the vital role undertaken by internal audit departments across various institutions by enhancing governance and establishing the principles of transparency and accountability, thereby ensuring quality decision-making and developing the work environment.

In this context, Imad Abdullah Al Shanfari, Director of the Internal Audit Department at the State Financial and Administrative Audit Authority, stated that internal audit is one of the most critical oversight tools that institutions rely on to ensure all procedures run in accordance with approved systems and regulations.

Al Shanfari explained that internal audit transcends the traditional concept of oversight to become a strategic tool that contributes to risk management, enhancing governance and transparency within institutions, reviewing processes and procedures to ensure their efficiency as well as detecting and addressing deficiencies, and providing developmental recommendations, thereby enhancing the efficiency of institutional performance.

Al Shanfari pointed out that an effective internal audit system directly contributes to strengthening bridges of trust between employees and management by providing an objective and clear database. This enables decision-makers to make decisions based on accurate foundations that serve the interests of both employees and the institution.

Regarding the State Financial and Administrative Audit Authority’s interest in internal audit departments, Al Shanfari stressed that the Authority accords great attention to the internal audit departments of the entities subject to its audit. This is achieved by conducting training programs throughout the year within the framework of ongoing cooperation between the Authority and the units of the State Administrative Apparatus, aiming to enhance career and professional awareness and to activate institutional partnership toward protecting public fund.

Additionally, the Authority is committed to implementing the best professional practices in the field of internal audit, driven by its keenness to execute all operational processes with high efficiency and in accordance with the highest quality standards, thereby contributing to fostering an audit environment based on transparency and integrity.