The Internal Audit Agency (IAA) has issued a new set of regulations to standardize internal audit practices in the public sector.
The Agency said, the move will strengthen financial accountability, improve compliance with government procedures and promote professional standards in public institutions.
The regulations, issued under section 5.7(b) of the Internal Audit Act, give the IAA Director General David A. Kemah, the authority to establish uniform rules and procedures for internal audit operations in ministries, agencies, commissions and county administrations.
Kemah announced the measures during Ministry of Information regular press briefing over the weekend in Monrovia.
He described the regulations as a step to improve oversight of public resources.
Kemah said, the new framework is built to standardize audit practices; risk-based deployment of auditors, professionalize the Agency, and stronger financial oversight across government institutions. He told reporters that the regulations are intended to end inconsistencies in how internal audits are conducted. Kemah noted that ministries and agencies have often operated with different approaches to financial monitoring and internal controls.
“The primary objective is to ensure that all ministries, agencies and county offices follow one uniform approach to internal auditing.” Under the new regulations, IAA will provide clearer guidance on the recruitment, training, assignment and evaluation of internal auditors.
The Agency believes the measures will help ensure that auditors are properly qualified and capable of carrying out routine and specialized audit assignments.
Kemah further said, the regulations also introduce required training programs and professional qualifications for auditors, with the aim to improve the skills, efficiency and effectiveness of personnel assigned to monitor public finances.
The objective is to transform IAA into a fully professional institution that can provide credible oversight and support stronger governance. While the framework sets new standards, questions remain over whether public institutions will fully comply with audit recommendations; and whether the Agency will have enough trained staff to cover the entire country.
Kemah disclosed that the IAA currently has auditors assigned to 96 public sector entities and only seven in the 15 counties.
This means that eight counties remain without permanent internal audit coverage, raising concerns about gaps in financial oversight outside Monrovia.
