Inaugural Financial Audit Forum to Convene Sunday in Riyadh

The inaugural Financial Audit Forum, titled “Raising Awareness of the Importance of Financial Audit and Maximizing its Impact,” will convene this Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the headquarters of the General Court of Audit (GCA) in Riyadh. The event is jointly organized by the GCA and the Ministry of Finance, and will be attended by Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan, President of the GCA Dr. Hussam Alangari, and other distinguished leaders and experts in public-sector financial auditing.

Context and Background

Financial auditing plays a critical role in ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds. In Saudi Arabia, the General Court of Audit (GCA) and the Ministry of Finance work in tandem to safeguard state revenues, expenditures, and assets. The inaugural Financial Audit Forum represents a significant step in strengthening this partnership and enhancing the impact of their complementary roles. The forum aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to promote good governance and fiscal responsibility, key pillars of Saudi Vision 2030.

According to a press release issued by the GCA, the forum aims to improve government entities’ compliance with relevant regulations, bylaws, decisions, and instructions. By bringing together leading experts and practitioners, the event serves as a specialized national platform to exchange knowledge, showcase best practices, and discuss the latest developments in financial audit.

Key Details

The forum will feature two primary themes. The opening session will address “Financial Audit: From Objective to Value Creation,” while the second session will examine “Foundational Factors for Financial Audit and Expected Impact.” Participants from the GCA and the Ministry of Finance will review the latest developments in auditing tools and methodologies, share best practices, and discuss professional experiences to support national efforts in safeguarding public funds.

The event will be held in the conference hall at GCA’s headquarters in Riyadh. It will bring together distinguished leaders and experts in public-sector financial auditing, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

Implications and Impact

The Financial Audit Forum is expected to yield significant benefits for Saudi Arabia’s public financial management. By enhancing awareness of the critical role of financial auditing and promoting adherence to financial regulations, the forum will contribute to strengthening transparency and accountability in the public sector. This, in turn, will improve spending efficiency and reinforce financial governance, aligning with international best practices.

Moreover, the forum’s emphasis on knowledge exchange and compliance with auditing standards will help government entities better safeguard public funds. This is particularly important as Saudi Arabia continues to diversify its economy and implement large-scale projects under Vision 2030. The forum also underscores the Kingdom’s proactive approach to enhancing its financial systems, which can boost investor confidence and support sustainable economic growth.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The inaugural Financial Audit Forum directly supports Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives of promoting transparency, accountability, and efficient government spending. By strengthening the partnership between the GCA and the Ministry of Finance, the forum contributes to the Kingdom’s long-term vision of a prosperous and diversified economy. As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its reform agenda, such initiatives demonstrate its commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility, setting a benchmark for the region and beyond.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the title of the inaugural Financial Audit Forum?

A1. The forum is titled “Raising Awareness of the Importance of Financial Audit and Maximizing its Impact.” It reflects the event’s focus on enhancing the role of financial auditing in public-sector governance and aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Q2. When and where will the Financial Audit Forum take place?

A2. The forum will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the conference hall of the General Court of Audit’s headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is organized by the GCA and the Ministry of Finance.

Q3. Who are the key officials attending the forum?

A3. Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and President of the General Court of Audit Dr. Hussam Alangari will attend, along with other distinguished leaders and experts in public-sector financial auditing. Their presence underscores the forum’s importance.

Q4. What is the primary objective of the Financial Audit Forum?

A4. The forum aims to strengthen the partnership between the GCA and the Ministry of Finance, enhance the impact of their complementary roles in auditing state revenues and expenditures, and improve compliance with financial regulations. It also seeks to promote transparency and accountability.

Q5. What are the two main themes of the forum?

A5. The opening session addresses “Financial Audit: From Objective to Value Creation,” while the second session examines “Foundational Factors for Financial Audit and Expected Impact.” These themes highlight the evolving role of auditing in value creation and governance.

Q6. Who is organizing the Financial Audit Forum?

A6. The forum is jointly organized by the General Court of Audit (GCA) and the Ministry of Finance. This collaboration reflects their shared commitment to enhancing financial governance and safeguarding public funds in Saudi Arabia.

Q7. What is the General Court of Audit (GCA)?

A7. The GCA is Saudi Arabia’s supreme audit institution, responsible for auditing state revenues, expenditures, and assets. It plays a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with regulations, contributing to the Kingdom’s financial governance framework.

Q8. How does the forum support Saudi Vision 2030?

A8. The forum supports Vision 2030 by promoting transparency, improving spending efficiency, and reinforcing financial governance. These efforts align with the Vision’s objectives of good governance, anti-corruption, and efficient public financial management.

Q9. What is the significance of the forum being the inaugural edition?

A9. The inaugural edition marks the first dedicated national platform for financial audit experts to exchange knowledge and best practices. It sets a precedent for future forums, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuous improvement in financial auditing.

Q10. What topics will be discussed in the sessions?

A10. Sessions will cover the transformation of financial audit from objective to value creation, foundational factors for effective auditing, latest auditing tools and methodologies, and best practices. Participants will share professional experiences to safeguard public funds.

Q11. Who will participate in the forum?

A11. Participants include officials and experts from the GCA and the Ministry of Finance, as well as other distinguished leaders in public-sector financial auditing. Their collective expertise will enrich discussions on enhancing audit practices.

Q12. What is the role of the Ministry of Finance in the forum?

A12. The Ministry of Finance co-organizes the forum, reflecting its commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. It collaborates with the GCA to enhance auditing of state revenues, expenditures, and assets, ensuring compliance with regulations.

Q13. How does the forum aim to improve government entities’ compliance?

A13. The forum seeks to improve compliance by raising awareness of financial regulations, sharing best practices, and discussing auditing standards. This helps government entities adhere to relevant bylaws, decisions, and instructions, strengthening accountability.

Q14. What is the expected impact of the forum on public financial management?

A14. The forum is expected to enhance transparency, improve spending efficiency, and reinforce financial governance. By promoting knowledge exchange and adherence to standards, it will help safeguard public funds and support sustainable economic growth.

Q15. How does financial auditing contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economy?

A15. Financial auditing ensures that public funds are managed efficiently and transparently, which boosts investor confidence and supports economic stability. It also helps prevent waste and corruption, aligning with Vision 2030’s economic diversification goals.

Q16. What international best practices will be highlighted?

A16. The forum will showcase best practices in financial auditing, including the use of advanced tools and methodologies. These practices align with international standards, enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s audit processes.

Q17. What is the significance of the forum’s location at GCA headquarters?

A17. Holding the forum at GCA headquarters in Riyadh symbolizes the central role of the GCA in financial oversight. It provides a fitting venue for high-level discussions on enhancing audit practices and governance.

Q18. How does the forum promote knowledge exchange?

A18. The forum brings together experts and practitioners to share experiences, discuss developments, and showcase best practices. This exchange fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation in financial auditing across government entities.

Q19. What is the connection between the forum and transparency?

A19. The forum promotes transparency by emphasizing the importance of financial auditing and compliance with regulations. It encourages open discussion on audit standards and practices, which helps build trust in public financial management.

Q20. What are the long-term benefits of the forum for Saudi Arabia?

A20. The forum will strengthen financial governance, enhance accountability, and improve spending efficiency. These benefits support Vision 2030’s goals of a prosperous economy and effective government, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in public financial management.

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