The Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira has called for closer collaboration between the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAUGF) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
He said such collaboration will provide avenue for the two parties to explore ways of advancing the accounting profession in Nigeria for the benefits of not only the accountants, but the Nigerian people.
The Auditor-General who made this call at the weekend during the investiture of the 6th Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) OAUGF chapter in Abuja, also said his office has adopted a new software, the Nigeria SAI Enhancement Audit Tool (N-SEAT) in the conduct of its audit processes.
He said the new software which helps to keep track of the processes of audit, has already been used by his office to conduct a pilot audit successfully.
According to him, “The OAuGF under my headship has fully embraced the Methodologies approved by the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) in all aspects of our audit.
“Only recently, we have successfully conducted pilot audits deploying the Nigeria SAI Enhancement Audit Tool (N-SEAT), an audit software that helps to keep track of the processes of the audit. This comes with twin benefits of ensuring standardization as it also facilitates the electronic storage of our working papers and audit evidence.”
While acknowledging the contributions of the former AuGFs in laying solid foundation during their times towards the emergence of the modern OAuGF, he said the current leadership of the audit house has built on the successes of the foundation and also preparing to bequeathing a much better and result oriented OAuGF to the next generation by the end of its tenure.
“Only recently, we launched the OAuGF Strategic Plan (2024-2028). This will further give clear direction to our operations and specific deliverables over the period covered by the Strategic Plan,” he said.
He promised the 60th President of ICAN, Chief Davidson Alaribe, who was physically present at the occasion that his doors are open and will always remain open to him at all times.
The Auditor-General congratulated the 60th President of ICAN and his Council Members on the just concluded 64th Annual Accountants Conference, which he believes the outcome of the Conference will help the current administration in its policy direction towards re-setting the country to the path of a sustained economic posterity as encapsulated in the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu.
He also congratulated the new ICAN chairman, OAUGF chapter and enjoined him to serve with humility.
In his goodwill message, the 60th President of ICAN, Chief Alaribe, said auditors play a key role in the quest for accountability and transparency in organisations.
He said auditors should have courage and think ahead because their job is a very important one, adding that ICAN establishes chapters and district societies to make the administration of ICAN very close to members and their employers.
He charged the new leadership of ICAN in the chapter to be good ambassadors of the institute.
Also speaking, The Auditor General of Kogi State Government, Mallam Yakubu Yusuf Okala, who represented the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, while congratulated the out going chairman of the chapter who is from Kogi State and wished the new chairman a successful tenure.
The new chairman in his acceptance speech, thanked the members for fi ding him worthy to occupy the office. He also thanked the Auditor-General for the Federation for creating a conducive work environment for the members.
He appealed to the ICAN Council to grant retired members a practising licence upon retirement having served as auditors for 20 years or more.