On December 7, 2023 the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation hosted an online multilateral experience-sharing seminar on “Digitalization of SAIs and working with Big Data” with the participation of supreme audit institutions (SAIs) of Egypt, Oman and Qatar.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Timur Makhmutov, Director of the Department for International and Regional Cooperation of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, highlighted that in 2022, Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Russia were among the leaders of World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index. He underlined that SAI Russia paid special attention to the digital transformation in its activities – the key focus areas of digitalization are stated in the Development Strategy of the Accounts Chamber for 2018–2024, ongoing projects include enhancement of digital platform for inspectors, new tools for audit optimization and regular trainings for officers.

The experience of the Accountability State Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt was presented by Mr. Ashraf Galal Amin Omar, Head of Sector in the Central Department For Financial Control on Banks. He emphasized that SAIs’ vital role in ensuring transparency and control of public finances requires using technologies that increase efficiency and reliability of audit processes. Digital technologies enable institutions to analyze vast data volumes, discover patterns and more effectively identify potential areas of concern. Meanwhile, digital transformation entails challenges that SAIs can overcome by combining strategic planning and engaging stakeholders. SAI Egypt implements digitalization measures on human capital, professional and technical levels. Key activities include establishing an integrated Data Center, enhancement of data exchange (from the Data Center to the SAI's departments across the country as well as between various departments) and development of applications for auditors.

The report of Ms. Manal Salim Al Mukhaini, Head of Institutional Planning and Data Management Section of the State Audit Institution of the Sultanate of Oman, addressed benefits and challenges for digitalization of supreme audit institutions. Among positive effects of digitalization Ms. Al Mukhaini outlined reduction of audit cycle times, increase in inspectors’ productivity, improvement of audit reports quality, security and accessibility of information, and significant reduction of workload and financial expenses. The speaker outlined prospects for further digitalization in SAI Oman and shared considerations on privacy and information security while working with Big Data.

Mr. Mikhail Lazarev, Chief Inspector of the Financial Audit Development Inspectorate of the Financial Audit Department, shared the experience of using the violation prevention system in the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation. The best practice of the Accounts Chamber in 2023 allows to check 100% of the main managers of budgetary funds and subordinate agencies, reduces the workload of inspections by 33 times and provides management with information necessary for decision-making. Centralized system of 100% control of the federal budget and a digital “risk vortex” enable the transition from manual selective checks to the comprehensive automated audits and allow to check 100% of documents. As a result, inspectors do not have to allot time to check 97% of documents without signs of violation risks. The scope of documents requiring inspectors’ attention is reduced from 100% to 3%. This ensures prevention of violations, increase of revenue to the federal budget, and improvement of effectiveness and performance of the federal budget funds management.

Ms. Hanan Ahmed Shuaib, Head of Applications Section of the State Audit Bureau of the State of Qatar, presented the experience of SAI Qatar in digitalization of its activities. SAI is actively developing the technological infrastructure for the digital tools implementation, strengthens cyber security and the system for confidential data protection, applies solutions for paperless document management and works with Big Data. The speaker highlighted the SAI Qatar’s Center of Excellence for Training and Development which regularly implements professional development and training programs to enhance the digital competencies of SAI Qatar employees.

During the discussion with the participation of Ms. Anastasia Kim, Deputy Head of Inspection of the Methodology and Research Department of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, participants deliberated on the issues of recruitment of qualified specialists in audit with the use of Big Data, and the application of machine learning algorithms in working with data in Arab and Russian languages.

Representatives of SAIs Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Russia agreed to continue sharing the experience on SAI digital transformation and other issues of mutual interest.

During the discussion with the participation of Ms. Anastasia Kim, Deputy Head of Inspection of the Methodology and Research Department of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, participants deliberated on the issues of recruitment of qualified specialists in audit with the use of Big Data, and the application of machine learning algorithms in working with data in Arab and Russian languages.

Representatives of SAIs Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Russia agreed to continue sharing the experience on SAI digital transformation and other issues of mutual interest.