Within the framework of the 10th tripartite meeting hosted by the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV) from August 27th - 31st, the Symposium “Auditing in the new normal” was held in the morning of 29th August in Da Nang under the chairmanship of Deputy Auditor General Ha Thi My Dzung.
Delegates participating in the symposium
Attending the meeting, the National Audit Authority of Cambodia (NAA) was represented by Mr. Samrit Sat, Deputy Secretary General, together with representatives of International Cooperation Department, Audit Department I and National Audit Institute.
Representing the State Audit Organization of the Lao PDR (SAO) were Mr. Khammone Bouaphanh - President of Central Region Audit Office No.1, Mr. Intha Leunammachack - President of Northern Region Audit Office No.2 and representatives of Enterprise Audit Department, State Audit Department, Quality Audit Assurance Department, Cabinet, International Cooperation Department, Bank Audit Department,…
Deputy Auditor General Ha Thi My Dzung gave a speech
On SAV’s side, there were the representatives at Director General level of International Cooperation Department (ICD), General Affairs Department, Department of Audit Policy and Quality Control, Department of Legal Affairs, Specialized Audit Department No. VI, No. VII, Regional State Audit Office No. III,…
SAV’s delegation
Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Deputy Auditor General - Dr. Ha Thi My Dzung stated that the Covid-19 pandemic, which occurred globally at the end of 2019, has since then created an unprecedented multi-dimensional crisis and affected various fields. In particular, the pandemic has reshaped the future of public sector auditing, leading to new reforms amid challenges of the next normal period.
“Auditing in the new normal” requires Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to think beyond traditional scope of work by ensuring the flexibility, agility and resilience to ensure continuity of SAI's essential role and functions in times of crisis. Therefore, the Meeting can be regarded as an opportunity for SAIs to gain a deeper comprehension of the importance of the connection of relevant parties to continuously develop and adapt to new situations.
NAA’s delegation
Dr. Dzung emphasized that although the pandemic is a challenging obstacle to public sector auditing, it has also opened up development opportunities in the new normal period when Internet, cloud computing and the popular use of mobile devices currently allow auditors to perform audits in a globally connected environment. Additionally, audit efficiency tends to be enhanced to promote the application of new technologies such as block chain technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in auditing activities, specifically the optimization of remote auditing technologies.
SAO’s delegation
At the same time, the significant changes in storage sources, evidence collection, and information fluctuations necessitate more careful and sensitive professional judgments,... - Deputy Auditor General My Dzung commented.
Ms. Kong Leakhena - Director General of Audit Department I (NAA) delivered a speech
At the meeting, representatives of the three SAIs respectively made presentations on “auditing in the new normal”, which identify the outstanding achievements of each side, specify challenges, suggest and propose appropriate solutions and directions. Notably, the presentation delivered by SAV’s representative also shared practical experience in conducting remote audit at Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT).
Delivering her speech at the meeting, Ms. Kong Leakhena - Director of Audit Department I (NAA) said that in response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Royal Government of Cambodia has proposed measures and directions to maintain the economy's stabilization and restoration of economic growth by applying information and communication technology (ICT) to manage revenues and expenditures such as the continous improvement of the Data Management System on Tax registration and Automated System for Customs Data. Moreove, it has strengthened the implementation of Non-Tax Revenue Management Information System (NRMIS), continously promoted connection and integration of related systems to exchange data, consolidate and expand the implementation of public financial management information system (FMIS) to all ministries, branches, provincial and municipal departments and local governments by implementing a spending automation system. Together with the Government, NAA has adapted to the “new normal” at work with the aim to protect the lives and safety of managers and civil servants and maintain the sustainability of institutional operations, assisting the Government in managing resources through qualified, timely and reliable audits, according to Ms. Kong Leakhena.
Ms. Phetsamone Soukkhaserm – Deputy Director of Bank Audit Department (SAO) made a presentation
Representing SAO, Ms. Phetsamone Soukkhaserm - Deputy Director of Bank Audit Department said that in the current context, it is necessary to have a model for conducting audits and change the form of audit to ensure and handle unexpected risks that may affect audit activities. As a result, SAO has concentrated on a number of factors during the audit planning process, including auditors, suppliers, contractors, audited entities and the auditor's families. These factors are considered to guarantee the proper implementation of risk assessment and the effectiveness and efficiency of the audit report.
From SAV’s side, Mr. Tran Van Hao - Chief Auditor of the Specialized Audit Department No.VI said, in order to implement the IT development strategy of SAV and also the 3rd pillar of the Bangkok Declaration at the 15th ASOSAI Assembly on the topic “SAIs and preparation for next normal”, SAV conducted a pilot remote audit at VNPT and achieved several remarkable results.
Mr. Tran Van Hao - Chief Auditor of Specialized Audit Department No.VI made a speech at the meeting
This is an audit with a new form which was conducted entirely on the network environment, using electronic data sources in audit work, thereby opening up a new direction in SAV’s audit operation. In the context of the complicated development of the Covid-19 epidemic, remote auditing becomes increasingly meaningful as it contributes to dealing with and removing difficulties arising from quarantine and social distancing, Mr. Hao emphasized.
During the discussion session, the representatives of the three SAIs focused on sharing and further discussing solutions and issues to keep in mind in the process of conducting audits in the new normal.
The delegates from each SAI highlighted the significance of information collection and audit planning, particularly challenges in the application of information technology in collecting data, while also sharing their experiences in selecting key issues to audit, determining materiality and audit risks, particularly when auditing state-owned enterprises and projects and programs using loan capital,...
The scence of the meeting
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Auditor General Ha Thi My Dzung highly appreciated the active sharing of experiences of each SAI, particularly in the field of information technology audit and audit activities in the new normal. The three SAI clearly expressed interest in finding solutions and audit methods, contents to adapt to the new situation throughout the Symposium. Regarding the difficulties and challenges in applying information technology to audit activities, Ms. Dzung stated that most challenging aspect is to gather sufficient data from audited entities and to improve each SAI's staff capacity in information technology application. Furthermore, Ms. Dzung expressed her hope that other similar symposiums would be organized on the sideline of professional and regular conferences among the three SAIs./.