Auditors must serve public interest

Thursday, 03 November 2016

RIVERSIDE: MEC Sikhumbuzo Kholwane urged internal auditors to speak frankly to authorities in order to improve governance and service delivery programmes.

In a speech prepared for delivery at the regional indaba of assurance practitioners in Mbombela today, 3 November 2016, MEC Kholwane said the internal auditors are at the centre of effective financial governance and that needs to come out clear in their advices to the managements.

"Speak frankly, be transparent and comfortable in presenting the facts and circumstances as you see them without worrying much about politics or personal perceptions."It will be a dishonourable act for the internal audit profession if appropriate and timely steps are not taken to bring deficiencies in the governance processes to the attention of those who manage our institutions", said MEC Kholwane.

He said the assurance practitioners must always remember that they have a greater mandate to use their profession to protect the interest of the public.

The Chief Executive of the Institute of Internal Auditors (SA) Dr Claudelle Von Eck weigh in on the same matter adding that the auditors "must work in the interest of the public".

She asked the practitioners to always ask critical question such as how the communities will benefit from the management decisions.

"The Chief Audit Executives must contribute to collective thinking in management meetings of the institutions", said Dr von Eck.