EU holds training to ensure quality of audits for EU-funded projects

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nepal organised training for Nepali auditors and accounting officers in grant projects on the different aspects of auditing, for the first time. They discussed general rules related to auditing practices and the overall approach to ensure quality while carrying out the audits related to projects funded by the European Union.

During three successive days from February 25, a senior auditor of Ernst & Young, Brussels Renaud Bolly gave the training to around 120 auditors and accountants.

Addressing the final day of the training,  ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Nepal Dr Alexander Spachis said that the European Union has been assisting Nepal in different areas of development  such as education, peace building, food security, mitigation of negative impacts of climate change to mention a few.

"The European Union has been assisting Nepal's efforts for development and democratisation despite the economic hardships that the EU Member States have been facing back home," Dr Spachis said, adding that it makes additional attention to ‘value for money’ and good governance in our projects even more important.

He hoped that the training for the auditors and accountants would help them understand better the auditing procedures of the European Union.

Addressing the training, deputy head of the Finance, Contract and Audit section of the EU Delegation to Nepal Renate Stangl said that bringing together auditors, accountants and EU officials enhances the mutual understanding of the applicable rules. It is of particular importance given the multitude of actions of the EU programmes where rules might also change over time, he added.