Within the framework of close cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of Georgia and OECD/SIGMA, the certification program for internal auditors will be launched for the first time in the public sector of Georgia, which will be implemented by the Academy of the Ministry of Finance. The program aims to bring the internal audit services closer to international standards throughout the country, by raising the qualifications of internal auditors.

The internal auditor certification program was developed on the basis of long-term cooperation between the Public Internal Control Department of the Ministry of Finance - Harmonization Center and OECD-SIGMA, with the involvement of international experts. The certification modules cover the most important areas for internal auditors that are still challenging in the Georgian public sector, including performance audits and information technology (IT) audits, as well as approaches and best practices for implementing quality assurance and improvement programs.

The internal auditor certification program will be implemented by the close partner of the Harmonization Center, the Academy of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, with its active involvement and support.  This year, the first participants of the pilot group of the certification program will be the internal auditors of the municipal halls. The launch of the program was possible by the support of the Harmonization Center's permanent and loyal partner: the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) project "Good financial governance at the local level in Georgia".

The certification program consists of 4 modules - with 4 corresponding exams and practice confirmation. The program is regulated by the Law of Georgia "On Public Internal Financial Control" and the order of the Minister of Finance. Moreover, a "working group for the development of the certification program of internal auditors" was created, the members of which are the head of the public service bureau, the head of the budget department and other important persons whose support is needed for the effective implementation of the program.

As a result of the implementation of the internal auditors certification program, the number of highly qualified internal auditors will increase in the public sector of Georgia, which in turn ensures the increase of additional value for the relevant institutions, by promoting more efficient and effective management of public finances.