With the unfolding of events surrounding the global financial crisis, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Guyana Chapter, has taken steps to promote qualification of internal auditors and expand the auditing profession.

“There is a shortage of professionals and the IIA Guyana Chapter is embarking on a programme that will facilitate testing here through the Institute of Internal Auditors which is an internationally recognised body,” said Mr. John Seeram, president of the IIA.

He added that the Guyana Chapter is presently encouraging persons to do the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) examination programme, one of four qualifications that the IIA hopes to promote.

The others are:

* The Certification in Control Self Assessment (CCSA);

* The Certified Government Auditing Professional (CCAP); and

* The Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA).

Seeram explained that the University of Guyana is the centre for monitoring the examination for those desirous of earning the qualifications in the auditing profession.

“The CIA examination is now available through computer based testing, allowing testing all year round at more than 500 locations worldwide,” Seeram said.

The examinations are interactive online courses and the certifications are recognised as Gold Standard qualifications.

Seeram noted that with the new online certification system, candidates can apply for the certification programmes/examinations and access their records online.

“Before this initiative, candidates for the examination were inconsistent. Now the role of the chapter is to promote the examinations,” Seeram asserted.

However, while the IIA Guyana Chapter has taken steps to facilitate a testing site and assistance to get started, tuition is not available.

To this end, Mr. Deodat Indar, Vice President of IIA Guyana Chapter, stated that the study materials are readily available and that the institute will support candidates with acquisition of the requisite materials.

Indar said, “While we do not have tuition, and this is because of a lack of human resources, the IIA Guyana Chapter will be providing assistance in every way possible to interested persons.”

The Vice President also promised that his organisation will hold a block course for candidates before examinations so as to help with application of the theory learnt and also to act as a refresher.

He added that the Guyana Chapter will also facilitate other venues for learning which will include educational seminars and workshops that will aim to cover:

* Internal Auditing Standards;

* The role of audit and audit committees;

* Operational auditing;

* Report writing; and

* Fraud investigation, among others.