Office of the Auditor General Eyes Professional Accounting Body
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The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has set its sights on establishing a professional accounting body to regulate the profession in Eritrea. The move comes as the OAG seeks to upgrade and retain its human resource capacity to deliver quality audit services.
Background
The OAG is working with professional accountants to draft by-laws for the establishment of the Eritrean Institute of Certified Public Accountants. This initiative aims to address the current shortage of audit staff, which has resulted in substantial audit backlogs due to the increasing number of government institutions that the OAG is mandated to audit.
Objectives
The OAG has set out three objectives to achieve its goals:
- Upgrading and Retaining Human Resource: The office plans to increase its workforce and upgrade its staff members’ technical and professional competencies.
- Improving Staff Development and Training Policies: The OAG aims to provide opportunities for staff members to enhance their technical skills and professional competences, and introduce a system that identifies technical and managerial skill gaps among employees.
- Introducing a System for Identifying Skill Gaps: The office plans to identify technical and managerial skill gaps among employees and address them through training.
Why Adequate Human Resources are Crucial
The OAG recognizes the importance of having adequate, competent, professionally developed, and dependable human resources to deliver quality audit services. The move is seen as a step towards improving the competency and productivity of human resources, which is crucial in achieving the OAG’s objectives successfully.
Auditors Need Special Treatment
Remuneration differential is considered the most common and effective motivating factor for all staff members of the OAG. The office believes that the Government needs to accord OAG staff with a special treatment in determining salary scales to enhance competency and productivity.
Strategic Plan for 2019-2023
The OAG’s strategic plan outlines its commitment to developing a strong learning culture, where everyone is able to achieve their personal and organizational objectives. The office aims to create an environment that encourages staff development, career progression, and job satisfaction.
Conclusion
With the establishment of a professional accounting body and the implementation of these measures, the OAG hopes to position itself as a leader in auditing and accounting services in Eritrea.