LocationsSerbia Advances Internal Audit Practices in Line with Modern Standards
November 17, 2025
Francis Nicholson, International Internal Audit Expert
Belgrade, 17 November 2025 – The Government of Serbia will adopt a new Public Financial Management Reform Programme 2026–2030 and the accompanying Action Plan 2026–2028 by the end of the year, announced Spomenka Wurzburger, Assistant Minister in charge of the Central Harmonisation Unit at the Ministry of Finance.
“To ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in public financial management, which directly contributes to the quality of services for citizens and Serbia’s progress towards EU integration, the key is to improve internal audit practices. The strength of internal audit lies in its aim to assess situations using an objective, scientific approach and to provide recommendations, with planning being of crucial importance”, said Wurzburger at the opening of the conference dedicated to improving internal audit practices in the public sector.
Spomenka Wurzburger, Assistant Minister in charge of the Central Harmonisation Unit at the Ministry of Finance
The event, which brought together more than 200 internal auditors and representatives of public institutions from across Serbia, is part of the initiative to reform public financial management in Serbia, organised by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Harmonization Unit (CHU), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the European Union.
An important topic discussed by experts was planning in internal audit in the context of alignment with the latest Global Internal Audit Standards, within the changes to the regulatory and methodological framework being prepared by the Central Harmonization Unit of the Ministry of Finance, with support from UNDP.
Fabrizio Andreuzzi, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Serbia, emphasised the importance of strengthening internal audit.
“A strong internal audit builds trust in public institutions, helping them manage risks more effectively and use public funds responsibly, for the benefit of citizens and the economy. With support from the European Union, UNDP is cooperating with the Ministry of Finance to develop practical tools that facilitate the application of international standards, helping internal auditors enhance their skills and efficiency”, said Andreuzzi.
Fabrizio Andreuzzi, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Serbia
The event provided an opportunity for internal auditors to exchange experiences, discuss challenges in implementing new standards, and gain practical knowledge on planning, performance measurement, and communicating audit results to management. Discussions focused on preparing auditors for upcoming legal and methodological changes, and participation in the conference counts towards the mandatory professional training for certified internal auditors in the public sector.
The conference was held as part of the broader initiative “EU for Public Finance Management in Serbia”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF) and the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.
