29th August 2026, Skopje – Strong institutions and responsible public finance management are the foundation of public trust, while audit serves as one of the key mechanisms for ensuring control, accountability, and the prevention of irregularities. In that direction, two significant steps have been undertaken in the past period: advancing cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and the State Audit Office and introducing the national exam and certification for internal auditors in the public sector, Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, stated in a Facebook post.
“The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the State Audit Office establishes a stronger institutional framework for joint efforts aimed at safeguarding public funds and preventing and detecting irregularities, fraud, and corruption. This cooperation entails enhanced coordination, exchange of knowledge, experience, and data, strengthening of professional capacities, and implementing European standards. Our objective is clear – stronger, more efficient and sound public finance management system,” the Minister said.
She emphasized that a sound system depends not only on regulatory and institutional mechanisms, but also on continuous investment in the professional development of the individuals who operate the system. In this regard, for the first time in the country, the Ministry of Finance will introduce a national exam for obtaining a certificate of an authorised internal auditor in the public sector, thereby establishing the certification of internal auditors in the country.
“By introducing the national exam, we are strengthening professional capacities in institutions, improving the effectiveness of internal audit, and reinforcing mechanisms for the lawful and accountable management of public finances. External and internal audit have different roles, but they share a common objective - to ensure that public funds are used for their intended purpose and managed lawfully, efficiently, and responsibly,” the Minister of Finance underscored in her post.
Dimitrieska-Kochoska highlighted that both processes are part of a broader effort to strengthen the financial control system and align it with European standards and practices. Both the advancement of institutional cooperation with the State Audit Office and the professional development of internal auditors contribute to fulfilling the commitments and recommendations under Chapter 32 – Financial Control, as well as to implementing the processes under the Reform Agenda.
“We are continuing, in parallel, to strengthen institutions, control mechanisms and human capital.
Every denar from the State Budget and every euro from the European funds ultimately belong to the citizens. Our responsibility is to ensure that these funds are managed responsibly, and in the best interests of the people,” Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, wrote on her Facebook profile.
