Amman: A delegation from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) visited the Audit Bureau (AB) on Thursday to discuss future collaboration opportunities.
The visit was part of the reform plan adopted by the Audit Bureau, aligned with the comprehensive reform initiated by His Majesty King Abdullah II, encompassing political, economic, and administrative reform visions, according to a statement by the AB.
At the meeting, Radhi Hamadeen, the President of the AB, said His Majesty’s directives have provided a roadmap and significant support for the AB. He emphasized that the ongoing modernization process, to be announced within the strategic plan for the next three years, will be in harmony with the three pillars of the reform visions of His Majesty.
Hamadeen explained that the AB faces no pressures, interventions, or directives in its technical audit work from any party, and its independence is safeguarded by law.
Within the realm of institutional reform priorities, Hamadeen stated that th
e AB looks forward to developing human resources practices along with the reporting process. He indicated that the upcoming report will witness a new mechanism for its preparation based on the principle of Materiality and the classification of violations into three levels according to their severity.
Additionally, it will involve automating the process of obtaining information from auditees, expediting their responses to violations, and automating the process to streamline efforts, save time, and ensure information accuracy.
He added that the Bureau is set to embark on an extensive training program for auditors, emphasizing best practices in public auditing. This comprehensive training will cover specialized domains such as forensic auditing, data analysis, digital crime, and the integration of artificial intelligence into the audit practice. Furthermore, the audit scope will expand to encompass sector-specific evaluations, with a keen emphasis on vital sectors like health, education, and transportation. Th
e ultimate goal is to put forth recommendations that raise the bar for the quality of services delivered to citizens and ensure support for public sector reform.
Addressing a guest’s inquiry regarding the examination of the general budget and subsequent reporting to the general assembly, Hamadeen affirmed the Bureau’s role in reviewing the government’s final accounts. A meticulous report, incorporating observations and recommendations, will accompany the annual report submitted to the general assembly.
The visiting delegation expressed admiration for the achievements of the AB, acknowledging its diverse tasks that align with international best practices in the field of Audit. They affirmed their intention to offer technical assistance and training to the AB, contributing to the development plan outlined by its management.
The meeting concluded with a constructive dialogue, with topics spanning interaction with the media, internal control measures, methodology for calculating savings, and other pertinent is
sues.
Source: Jordan News Agency