DUSHANBE, July 20, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Within the framework of the European Union funded project, ceremony   of awarding certificates to the first group of 33 Internal Auditors who passed successfully the exam in “Public Sector’ Internal Auditing” took place in the Ministry of Finance on July 19, press release issued by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tajikistan said.

The certificates are issued by the Ministry of Finance in fulfillment of the requirements of Article 8 of the Law on Internal Auditing in the Public Sector of Tajikistan.

The certification is an important step for securing sustainable theoretical knowledge base for the internal auditors in the public sector.  It is part of the EU funded project, Support to the Public Internal Financial Control II in Tajikistan.

The project assists the Ministry of Finance in implementing the internal audit function in line with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

The certification procedure reflects best international practice in terms of content, training and examination of internal auditors, including: 450 multiple choice questions on internal auditing, financial control and accounting; web-based Russian / Tajik training and examination  software “Test factory” with unlimited access for test preparation allowing any internal auditor or other eligible person to prepare him/herself for the exam at their convenience; and network for 15 users for computer based examination in the Ministry of Finance.

The training and examination is first of its kind for public sector auditors and attracted the interest not only of the internal auditors, but also of the Supreme Audit Office of Tajikistan, with 3 certified experts.

The Internal Control and Audit Department of the Ministry of Finance has been trained and is completely capable of managing the certification on their own after the project completion.

The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.  To this end the EU is active in Tajikistan since 1992 and provides approximately EUR 25 million annually in development assistance.