Emiratis To Account For 44% In Internal Auditing In Coming Years: UAE IAA Chairman

The representation of UAE nationals, both males and females, in the UAE Internal Auditors Association, UAE IAA, will be 44 per cent in the coming years, according to its chairman.

"Emiratis to account for 44 per cent in internal auditing in the coming years," Abdulqader Obaid Ali said at an honouring ceremony for graduates of the 8th batch of HASAAD, an intensive two-and-a-half month training programme in internal auditing dedicated to UAE nationals, in Abu Dhabi.

He added, "The HASAAD programme is the core of a major global educational initiative that we plan to implement in the coming period. We hope that UAE will become a global academy for internal auditing and a destination for knowledge-seekers in this field, which is witnessing great development lately thanks to the entry of digitisation, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence, AI, into this vital sector, which is the core of all economic and development sectors."

It was also announced that the representation of Emiratis in the Association will be over 22 per cent by the end of 2018.

Revealing plans to open the HASAAD programme for non-Emirati auditors residing in the country in the future, UAE IAA Chairman said, "This indicated the initiatives of the Association’s to widen its regional reach and global role as the largest association for internal auditors in the Middle East and North Africa, MENA, region."

There is an increasing demand by internal auditors within and outside the country due to the growing importance of internal auditors in both the success and governance of organisations, especially due to the rapid changes transforming the global economy with more digitisation and smart solutions increasing their presence.

The UAE IAA successfully demonstrated its ability to host the world’s largest internal auditors’ conference in May 2018 with the participation of 3,500 delegates from more than 82 countries.

In 2015, the Association launched the HASAAD Programme in line with the ‘Absher’ initiative launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the aim to implement the Internal Audit Charter launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to qualify more Emiratis working in the government sectors and provide them with the necessary management skills in the field of internal auditing.

One of the programme graduates, Sheikha Al Nuaimi from First Abu Dhabi Bank, said, "Through the HASAAD programme, which is unique in the region, I have been briefed on the latest global trends in the field, which can be utilised and transferred to my banking field."

Noura Al Bastaki from Mubadala Investment Company, stressed that she has acquired a long experience in a short time through learning from leaders in this field, and learned through them the challenges and opportunities in this field, which enables her to better gear-up for the future, especially given the rapid technical advancements based on Artificial Intelligence and the Blockchain.

Myriam Al Khatiri, also from Mubadala Investment Company, said, "The Programme discussed a number of key issues including the independence of internal auditors and the necessary traits internal auditors should possess, such as neutrality, privacy protection, analysis and scientific evaluation, as well as strengthening the positive professional scepticism characteristic of all workers in this field."

Launched by UAE-IAA in 2015, HASAAD aims to strengthen trainees’ expertise, support their professional competencies and prepare them to deal with more professional responsibilities and challenges within their organisations.