Launch aimed at adding to SA auditors’ number
Goal of new programmes to improve competence
THERE were checks and more checks to ensure that everything ran smoothly at the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa launch on Wednesday.
The CEO of the institute, Dr Claudelle von Eck, was eager to share the “exciting news” at the launch of the new professional internal audit programme and the revised internal audit technician programme, both aimed at ensuring the market has enough competent auditors.
About 100 guests attended the event and the vicechairman of the institute’s board, Riaan Thiart, was the programme director.
The gathering was to promote the internal auditing profession and take a quantum leap from the “back room to the boardrooms”.
As Von Eck pointed out, internal auditors have a major role to play in ensuring the health and wealth of the country.
One of the speakers, auditor-general Thembekile Kimi Makwetu, urged internal auditors to do things above board — “do the right thing and the end will be better than the beginning”.
He said the new programmes would help to raise the level of competence of the 8 000 institute members.
Another speaker, Jenitha John of First Rand Bank, said there was positive feedback from learnership programmes.
“Competence builds confidence,” she said.
She was optimistic that the new programme would be a huge success.
Emily Makhubela, a product of the internal audit technician programme, said it enabled her to put into practice what she learnt at university, as well as being assisted by a mentor.
After the formalities, the guests met in the foyer for some light snacks of sushi and hors d’oeuvres. After chatting for a while, they braved the Johannesburg traffic back to their offices.