Muscat Governorate concluded today(Monday) the training program “Oversight of Budget, Treasuries and Loans ’Implementation”, which was organized over two days at the Muscat Governorate building. With the participation of several staffs from Oman’s governorates working in the fields of internal audit and financial affairs. The program aimed to develop their skills in financial budgets’ preparation and methods for the final accounts of government units’ review, and introducing them to the audit risks that should be avoided when audit work implementation.
The Program’s Importance:
Dr. Adel Al-Bayati, the trainer and lecturer in the program, pointed out the importance of the program’s implementation because it introduces participants to the skills of financial and operational budgets’ preparation in light of strategic plans and final accounts and financial reports’ preparation. It also contributes to offer them with the skills of budgets’ preparation by learning the foundations of estimating the budget components of revenues and expenses accurately and correctly. As well as, introducing them to the general rules that head the preparation and estimation in calculating public revenues and estimating expected expenses for the following year, introducing them to the main oversight tools and parties in the general budget’s implementation, and terms and determinants of rationalization of public spending and its objectives.
Outcomes:
Dr. Adel Al-Bayati also confirmed that the program’s outcomes will enable participants to know the extent of the impact of oversight in enhancing public spending’s rationalization, and controlling financial deviations in the country’s general budget. It is by defining (the concept of the general budget, monitoring its implementation, and the concept of rationalizing public spending). Participants will also gain skills to begin the transition to preparing the general budget according to alternative foundations to the traditional basis to guarantee the improvement of methods of the general budget’s implementation. In addition to explaining the importance and role of oversight of the implementation of the general budget through its various methods and the various parties that it carries out in rationalizing public government spending, the reality of its objectives, and contributing to reducing the general budget deficit and reducing public debit.
A forum that includes specialists:
Salem Al-Sahi, Director of the Internal Audit Department in Muscat Governorate, said that this training program is a forum that brings together a group of specialists in the field of internal audit and financial affairs in the governorates. It included the foundations of auditing and control, the concepts related to the budget, and the methods for controlling it.
Al-Sahi pointed out that auditors and those working in financial affairs should have a spirit of initiative andself-learning. It is by Stay informed about developments in the field of auditing and finance, practice aimed to improve their skills and experience, and Participate in forums and conferences to gain the necessary scientific and practical knowledge.
Regarding the addition offered by the program, Al-Sahi said that "the program contributed to enhancing knowledge about best practices in supervisory work and internal audit skills".Pointing out that it is possible to apply internal audit skills when dealing with topics referred for audit and implementation of examination and supervisory work efficiently and effectively. He confirmed the importance of continuing to implement specialized training programs. This is because it contributes to the human resources` development in the governorate, and offering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the tasks assigned to them effectively and proficiently.
Knowledge and Realization:
Maha Al Farsi, one of the program participants from Al Dhahirah Governorate, praised the efforts based on the training program. Especially in terms of the program implementation`s time, which coincides with the estimated budget preparation period for 2025. She indicated that this program develops knowledge about the skills that must be available in the financial employee and the internal audit employee. Additionally, introducing participants to the skills of preparing estimated budgets according to modern scientific methods, and challenges in preparing these budgets from the general budget management`s perspective and from the government units` perspective. Al-Farsi said that "the program contributed to increase her awareness and skills regarding the estimated budget`s preparation, facing challenges in preparing it, the difference between budgets, how to prepare the final account, identify the challenges in general budget`s implementation, and ways to preserve public money”.
While, Ruqayia Al-Kalbani, one of the participants in the program from Muscat Municipality, confirmed that the program was distinguished by its inclusion of the method of dialogue and discussion between the lecturer and the participants, who expressed enriching opinions and interventions. Experiences and knowledge were also exchanged between them. They benefited from the information offered by the lecturer to develop their work, understand the facing challenges, and work to codify them with modern scientific methods. Al-Kalbani added that the program enhanced her best practices in monitoring loans, treasuries and items, and how to address performance deviations. This contributes to enhance and improve the organization’s operations to achieve its desired purposes.
In conclusion, the participants confirmed this training program`s importance in enhancing their abilities in the financial oversight and government budgets` fields. The improvement will reflect positively on their government units` performance.