In Focus: The USA and Slovenia Continue to Support Training for Internal Auditors in Macedonia
Today in Ljubljana, the director of the Center for Excellence in Finance (CEF), Ms. Mira Dobovišek, hosted Mr. Joshua Harris, Political and Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy, Ljubljana and Ms. Irena Mramor, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as they signed the USAID Grant Agreement within the U.S. Donors Challenge Fund that will continue their combined support for the Training of Internal Auditors in the Public Sector (TIAPS) program in Macedonia, implemented by CEF.
The decision to extend financing was based on the very favorable results achieved by the previous generations of students that studied at the program. Ms. Dobovišek noted: “Macedonian students are one of the very best in the region, more than three quarters of those enrolled in training so far have successfully completed the certification program.”
Mr. Harris expressed satisfaction on the good results of the program and effective use of the donor resources and expressed interest for future cooperation with the CEF also in other projects. Ms. Mramor emphasized that Slovenian MFA is very satisfied with the results of the project in Macedonia and pointed out that cooperation with CEF, which is one the most important implementing partners of Slovenian development cooperation, has again proven for efficient and fruitfull.
The funds will enable Macedonian officials to learn international internal audit standards and best practices according to the curricula developed by the British Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The students will be assisted by local tutors, trained during the previous iterations of the TIAPS program in Macedonia. Slovenian tutors and supervisors will provide the tutors with additional training and guidance. All related learning materials will be translated from English to Macedonian.
About TIAPS:
The Training of Internal Auditors in the Public Sector (TIAPS) is a program that strengthens professional qualifications in internal audit processes. It helps individuals apply international standards and improve accountability within reformed public finance systems. The training curriculum devotes special attention to requirements introduced by EU accession processes. The curriculum consists of four integrated modules at the certificate level and three integrated modules at the diploma level. Each level can be completed within a year. The program offers internationally recognized, professional qualification provided jointly by the CEF and CIPFA (Charted Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy).
