Abu-Ghazaleh Calls for Upgrading the Internal Auditing Profession to Operate by Modern Technologies

Abu-Ghazaleh Calls for Upgrading the Internal Auditing Profession to Operate by Modern Technologies

DUBAI - May 10, 2016 - HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), affirmed that Internal Auditing is a strategic partner of modern management in the knowledge age, which makes it imperative to transform its operating modality to using modern technologies, so as to keep pace with the rapid developments occurring in the working methods in different parts of the world.

During his keynote speech at the 17^th Annual Regional Audit Conference (ARAC) organized by the UAE Internal Auditors Association (UAE IAA), Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said, “If we, as internal auditors, do not keep pace with the rapidly developing technologies, our profession - in its traditional image - will be obliterated and will leave no trace or impact behind." .

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed on the need to change the name of this profession as internal auditor, on the grounds that the auditor’s role also includes being part of the administration and in improving the working system of a company, institution or a nation in general. In addition, he underlined the need for internal auditors to learn how to use tools of modern technologies, and familiarize themselves with Internet uses. Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh indicated that this is essential for transforming the role of the internal auditor from a traditional one to that of an expert level in Information Technology in order to be able to deal with the business movement of smart cities at the right progressive pace.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh pointed out that Dubai is the only selected city named as a smart city among the Arab world and included on a list of about 20 smart cities from all over the world, which makes it inevitably compelling for all its internal and external auditors to change and adapt in line with the knowledge revolution. Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh indicated that the UAE has played a leading role at Arab and regional levels in the field of Internal Auditing, and has become today a strong rival for many countries on the global level − thanks to the creative and innovative approach followed by the government, and in striving to streamline in all areas of business on both the public and private levels.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh expressed his thanks to HE Mr. Abdul Qader Obaid, Chairman of the Board of the IAA in the UAE, for inviting him to participate in the conference.

The ARAC in its current session was held under the slogan “Innovation at Work” in all areas and at all government and private institutions. It was attended by more than 1,000 internal auditors, compared with 750 internal auditors last year. Furthermore, the ARAC is considered the largest “Smart” conference concerned with Internal Auditing at the Middle Eastern level.