PUBLIC SERVANT BY AB
Ho Duc Phoc, auditor general of the State Audit Office of Vietnam, is enhancing
efficiency and effectiveness in the management and use of public resources
When Ho Duc Phoc, auditor general
of the State Audit Office of Vietnam
(SAV), first studied finance in the
1980s, Vietnam was on the cusp of an
economic sea change as the country
began to abandon central planning.
Today, with the challenge of
improving Vietnam’s socioeconomic
growth, especially strengthening
the management of public finance,
Phoc is assigned to direct the
implementation of audit tasks on
management and use of public
finance and assets.
In an exclusive interview, he
describes the challenges of his role
in one of the world’s fastest-growing
economies.
Q When you took up this position
in 2016, what was the state of
public sector auditing systems and
oversight?
A Vietnam is a developing country
which enjoys a high economic growth
rate. Its GDP is at a rate of 6.7%
to 7% per annum; its investment
environment has been improved;
economic scope and potential have
been enhanced; the efficiency in budget management has
been strengthened; and positive development in culture
and society has been realised. Vietnam will continuously
develop, with a harmonious implementation of medium- and
long-term strategies, plans, and solutions for socioeconomic
development such as strengthening administrative reform
and improving the business environment; and restructuring
the economy in association with growth model innovation,
enhancement of productivity, efficiency and competitiveness.
The SAV is a public financial auditing agency, and our
function is to make assessments, confirmations, conclusions
and recommendations to functional agencies to help improve
the quality of public finance. We also aim to use our resources
efficiently and economically.
We particularly make
recommendations to the National
Assembly and other agencies about
programmes and projects of national
importance so we can improve
the national system of finance and
accounting. We also detect and warn
about violations and wrongdoings in
the field of finance, then refer these
cases for settlement by competent
authorities.
We provide opinions on addressing
financial irregularities and on
retrieving waste and losses in terms
of the country’s finances. We make
recommendations on dealing with
financial wrongdoing, completing the
legal framework and other policies so
we can mitigate loopholes to prevent
losses and waste.
Q What are the SAV’s core values?
A Independence, objectivity and
integrity can be considered as the
core values which the SAV and
its auditors must strictly follow
to ensure the faithfulness and
appropriateness of audit conclusions
and recommendations. The SAV’s independence is stipulated
in our 2013 Constitution: ‘The State Audit Office of Vietnam
is a specialised agency established by the National Assembly,
performing its duties independently and subject only to laws,
and auditing the management and use of public finance and
assets.’ In addition, independence, objectivity and integrity
in audit activities are stipulated in each stage of the audit
process. Specifically, in the audit planning stage, it shall not
be influenced by the audited entities; in audit fieldwork, state
auditors shall strictly comply with laws and implement audit
standards, processes and methods as well as other regulations
of the SAV; audit conclusions shall not be influenced by outside
factors which may make audit results incorrect.
