International Journal of Auditing – January 2010
United Arab Emirates
Modernization Program for the State Audit Institution
The State Audit Institution of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is partially through an ambitious modernization program. Changes taking place today are expected to have far-reaching effects on the accountability and performance of the UAE federal government.
Since the program began in 2007, many changes have been implemented. These have included creating a new organization and identity for the State Audit Institution, transitioning the old organization into the new one, introducing new risk-based audit methodologies that are based on international best practices and aligned with international auditing standards, and introducing IT and performance auditing.
The State Audit Institution is also fast-tracking young Emiratis to become auditors and qualified accountants using an innovative mix of on-the-job training and formal accounting education through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). ACCA has awarded Platinum Level Approved Employer Status to the State Audit Institution in recognition of its employee training and development program. Young Emirati auditors in training also have the opportunity to study for the international Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) examination and benefit from intensive study seminars given by international IT audit experts.
The State Audit Institution has obtained expert input, including secondments and technical expertise, for the change program from audit institutions in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Peer reviews were performed in 2009 to provide assurance to the UAE federal government that the State Audit Institution’s change program is progressing as planned. The first peer review was to determine whether the change program is proceeding on schedule and in line with best practices in public sector auditing. This covered all aspects of the State Audit Institution and its work. The second peer review specifically focused on performance auditing and the first performance audit the State Audit Institution completed, which was on preventing and managing diabetes.
The change program is expected to be complete by the time the State Audit Institution hosts the 3rd EUROSAI/ARABOSAI conference in Abu Dhabi in March 2011.
For additional information, contact the State Audit Institution:
E-mail: president@saiuae.gov.ae
Web site: www.saiuae.gov.ae