The Development of Public Internal Financial Control in Albania – And His Role in Strengthening the Managerial Accountability

The concept of Public Internal Financial Control (PIFC) has been developed by the European Commission in order to provide a structured and operational model to assist national governments in reengineering their internal control environment and in particular to upgrade their public sector control systems in line with international standards and EU best practice. The democratic changes affecting all areas of life in the last years, have led to reforms in the management of public finances of the public sector in the Republic of Albania. On the road of the accession to the European Union, Albania is in the process of important conceptual, legislative and structural reform of the Public Internal Financial Control framework with the aim of strengthening the managerial accountability of the managers of public sector organizations and further develop independent internal audit. The paper aims to give some key issues regarding PIFC development in Albania such as: the level of transparency regarding the status of the financial management and control and internal audit in the public sector; the awareness of the Heads of public organizations about the importance of sound financial management and control and to enhance their managerial accountability; information about the self assessment of the heads of public sector organizations on the adequacy and the effectiveness of internal control and about the progress made. It also outlines the weaknesses, solutions and development opportunities based on the assessment of the status of the financial management and control systems as well as of the internal audit. Through conclusions it summarizes the main directions in which the Albanian institutions must be focused in the future for further development and improvement of management of public resources. The development of the new model of public internal financial control in Albania demands from all the participants in the process, leading to effective action in accordance with their roles and responsibilities. Only proper implementation of new legislation and efforts by all stakeholders can lead to achieving the goal - to create a modern system, reliable and functioning of public internal financial control. In this regard the CHU/FMC will outline specific measures related to strengthening managerial accountability and updating of legislation and methodology in the field of internal control in accordance with EU legislation and best practices. As one of the "three pillars" of the Public Internal Financial Control System, Internal Audit has developed and continuously improved in order to take its modern role as advisor for the assessment and systems and contributing to the achievement of strategic and operational objectives of the organization, always in accordance with international standards and best practices.