SAI marks audit awareness month
MUSCAT: The State Audit Institution (SAI) joined institutions and organisations from around the world in celebrating "Internal Audit Awareness Month,' which falls on May every year.
This annual occasion aims to highlight the importance of internal audit in enhancing transparency and efficiency within institutions. It affirms the pivotal role that internal audit undertakes in strengthening governance, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
Commenting on the occasion, Imad bin Abdullah al Shanfari, Director of the Internal Audit Department at SAI, stated that internal audit departments serve as a safety wall and the first line of defence in the financial and administrative operations of both government and private institutions. He noted that the primary objective of internal audit is to provide independent and objective assurance that the institution's risk management, governance and internal control processes are functioning effectively, thereby ensuring the institution's ability to achieve its goals.
Al Shanfari pointed out that the importance of internal audit lies in its role as a key element institutions rely on to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of financial, administrative and operational processes. Through internal audits, officials can identify gaps that may affect performance, enabling them to take corrective actions in a timely manner. Internal audit is also an important part of governance as it helps enhance transparency and ensures that all operations are conducted in accordance with the established laws and regulations.
Furthermore, Al Shanfari stressed that fully leveraging internal audit to improve organisational performance requires implementing practical changes based on audit findings. This is accomplished by acting on the recommendations provided by internal auditors, which help institutions enhance processes, reduce costs and improve efficiency. - ONA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
19-05-2025
- Observer
SAI marks audit awareness month
MUSCAT: The State Audit Institution (SAI) joined institutions and organisations from around the world in celebrating "Internal Audit Awareness Month,' which falls on May every year. This annual occasion aims to highlight the importance of internal audit in enhancing transparency and efficiency within institutions. It affirms the pivotal role that internal audit undertakes in strengthening governance, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. Commenting on the occasion, Imad bin Abdullah al Shanfari, Director of the Internal Audit Department at SAI, stated that internal audit departments serve as a safety wall and the first line of defence in the financial and administrative operations of both government and private institutions. He noted that the primary objective of internal audit is to provide independent and objective assurance that the institution's risk management, governance and internal control processes are functioning effectively, thereby ensuring the institution's ability to achieve its goals. Al Shanfari pointed out that the importance of internal audit lies in its role as a key element institutions rely on to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of financial, administrative and operational processes. Through internal audits, officials can identify gaps that may affect performance, enabling them to take corrective actions in a timely manner. Internal audit is also an important part of governance as it helps enhance transparency and ensures that all operations are conducted in accordance with the established laws and regulations. Furthermore, Al Shanfari stressed that fully leveraging internal audit to improve organisational performance requires implementing practical changes based on audit findings. This is accomplished by acting on the recommendations provided by internal auditors, which help institutions enhance processes, reduce costs and improve efficiency. - ONA
Times of Oman
19-05-2025
- Times of Oman
State Audit Institution celebrates Internal Audit Awareness Month
Muscat: State Audit Institution (SAI) joined institutions and organisations from around the world in celebrating "Internal Audit Awareness Month,' which falls on May every year. This annual occasion aims to highlight the importance of internal audit in enhancing transparency and efficiency within institutions. It affirms the pivotal role that internal audit undertakes in strengthening governance, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. Commenting on the occasion, Imad Abdullah Al Shanfari, Director of the Internal Audit Department at SAI, stated that internal audit departments serve as a safety wall and the first line of defence in the financial and administrative operations of both government and private institutions. He noted that the primary objective of internal audit is to provide independent and objective assurance that the institution's risk management, governance, and internal control processes are functioning effectively, thereby ensuring the institution's ability to achieve its goals. Al Shanfari pointed out that the importance of internal audit lies in its role as a key element institutions rely on to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of financial, administrative and operational processes. Through internal audits, officials can identify gaps that may affect performance, enabling them to take corrective actions in a timely manner. Internal audit is also an important part of governance as it helps enhance transparency and ensures that all operations are conducted in accordance with the established laws and regulations. Furthermore, Al Shanfari stressed that fully leveraging internal audit to improve organizational performance requires implementing practical changes based on audit findings. This is accomplished by acting on the recommendations provided by internal auditors, which help institutions enhance processes, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Regarding its focus on internal audit departments, Imad Al Shanfari emphasised that SAI places great importance on these departments within the entities subject to its audit. This is achieved through year-round training programs for internal audit staff, as part of the ongoing collaboration between SAI and the units of the State's Administrative Apparatus, with the aim to enhance professional awareness, activate institutional partnerships to protect public fund, improve resource efficiency, and strengthen professional competencies. Al Shanfari added that SAI issued in 2015 Internal Audit Manuals, which include The General Manual for Internal Audit Methodology (for Ministries and Government Units) , the Internal Audit Procedures Manual (Financial and Compliance), and the Supporting Tools Manual for Operational and Strategic Audits.
Times of Oman
14-05-2025
- Times of Oman
International symposium in Muscat explores Future of AI in Judicial Work
Muscat — The international symposium titled 'Foreseeing Artificial Intelligence in Judicial Work" commenced today in Muscat, addressing key issues related to the legal, technical, and ethical challenges of AI integration in the judiciary. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Ghosn Hilal Al Alawi, Chairman of the State Audit Institution, the event is organized by the Supreme Judiciary Council. The symposium examined solutions and proposals to ensure the effective and secure use of AI, anticipate its potential impact on judicial systems, and present recommendations on technological advancements to enhance justice and improve judicial efficiency. Discussions also focused on future perspectives for smart legal training in the justice sector and fostering sustainable innovation and development in judicial institutions. The symposium featured multiple sessions, including one on 'Legal, Ethical, and Security Challenges of AI in Judicial Work," which covered topics such as transparency and accountability in AI-driven judiciary, personal data protection in AI applications, algorithmic biases and their mitigation, and cybersecurity in smart judicial systems. Another session, titled 'AI Applications in Judicial Work," included four working papers: analyzing legal texts using AI (benefits and challenges), the admissibility of algorithmic outputs in criminal court, AI applications in judicial investigations (innovative tools and techniques), and AI's role in training human resources in judicial institutions. Another session, 'Future Developments and International Cooperation in AI for Judicial Work," explored the impact of AI on human genome accuracy and its future role in genetic evidence analysis, international collaboration in developing AI technologies for justice, and foresight scenarios for AI in judiciary based on global experiences. The symposium revolved around three main themes: legal, ethical, and security challenges of AI in judiciary; AI applications in judicial work; and future developments and international cooperation in AI for justice. The event aims to discuss future visions for AI in the judiciary, anticipate the potential impact of these technologies on judicial systems, propose technological advancements to enhance justice and efficiency, and encourage sustainable innovation in judicial institutions.
