A conference was recently held at the Corinthia Palace Attard during which the evolving role of the internal auditor and the progressive developments in the profession was debated before an audience of professionals hailing from the local scene.

Opening presentations were made by José Manuel Muries Navarro - Internal Audit General Manager of MAPFRE and Ms Rachel Bowden - Technical Director for the Internal Audit and Risk Management division of RSM Tenon.

The event resumed with a panel of professional speakers discussing the theme of the conference and inviting questions / comments from the audience. The panel speakers included the two international presenters as well as Ms Maria Micallef - Founding partner of RSM Malta and Ms Juanita Bencini Partner, Advisory Services at KPMG Malta. The panel discussion was chaired by Mr Joseph FX Zahra - Founding Partner and Managing Director of MISCO.

Whilst Internal Auditing in Malta is still in its infancy, it has a pivotal role to play in promoting corporate governance, in enhancing the quality of business management in general, in instilling trust in our organisations and in attracting new investment to our shores.

The Main Committee composed of specialists in the field having different backgrounds in both the public and private sector, have been organising practical workshops and open conferences on the subject of Internal Audit and its various ramifications since 2007.

The Forum has set 5 strategic objectives which it intends achieving in the coming years: To bring together professionals to act as internal auditors; to promote, support and facilitate education about the profession and discipline of internal auditing; to promote professional practices of internal auditing; to encourage best practices in internal auditing; and to create awareness of internal auditing within the local business and non business community.