Together with Albanian Association of Banks (AAB), AIIA is organizing 1st Annual Internal Audit Forum, a national event and the first of this kind to focus on the state of internal audit profession in Albanian banking sector. Its main purpose is to explore challenges and success stories in the banking sector on topics such as fraud detection and prevention, audit committees and review how banks can be more effective and successful using practical methods such as 3Lod and by observing international guidance such as internal auditing standards. Moreover, this forum will provide an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and networking.
We are happy to have Nicola Rimmer, Past President of IIA UK and Ireland 2012-14 and currently Director at Barclays Bank, London and Jean-Pierre Garitte, international governance, risk management and internal audit consultant, as main guest speakers for this event, together with other local actors such as Dorida Stambolla, Director of Internal Audit at Raiffesein Bank Albania. The forum will be attended by internal auditors, chief executive officers from the banking sector, representatives from Bank of Albania, Ministry of Finance, IMF and other local regulatory bodies as an opportunity to bring together practitioners and regulators for dialogue and practice sharing.
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On IIA And AIIA
As you may already know, established in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is an international professional association and the internal audit profession’s global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator. Globally, The IIA has more than 180,000 members distributed in more than 190 countries all around the globe.
Albanian Institute of Internal Auditors is a Chapter of this global network. Established in 2010, we serve our members and professionals operating in areas like internal auditing, risk management and corporate governance. Through our affiliation, our local members are able to share in a collective wisdom of more than 180,000 members in over 190 countries and territories.
Our Mission: To provide dynamic leadership for the global profession of internal auditing in Albania.
Short Description of 1st Internal Audit Forum
The importance of internal audit has grown significantly in recent years in Albania and definitely worldwide. As a cornerstone of corporate governance, the role of internal audit is to provide independent assurance that an organisation’s risk management, governance and internal control processes are operating effectively. To be able to achieve such purpose, the Albanian internal auditors have to operate in a difficult business environment, many times without support of local guidance, standards and regulations. Issues regarding important topics such as independence and accountability are known to be present in Albanian banking institutions but often remain within their organisational context.
Despite the challenges, internal auditors in Albania have always stepped up to be recognised as valuable experts who bring a broader perspective to managing risk in their organisations. Their skills and expertise have helped the organisation to navigate through risks and achieve the organisational goals and objectives.
The aim of this forum is to create a platform for sharing insights on issues and respective solutions that internal auditors may find during their activities. The first two presentations, both perspectives of CEOs and CAEs, will highlight some of the concerns that internal audit professional have regarding the state of internal audit in the Albanian banking sector.
The second presentation “Effective Internal Audit in the Financial Services Sector” will be run by the guest speaker, a head of internal audit function in one of the most reputable banks in UK and also Past President of Institute of Internal Auditors UK and Ireland. The aim of this session is to bring some success stories, good practices and standards on how to advance the state of internal audit in Albania and on how internal audit can deliver more value in their respective organisations.
It is important for management members to clearly understand the focus and purpose of IA activities in their organisation. As a result of increased expectations from IA activities, many IA functions are being pulled (too much) in different directions. The discussion panel ”CAE and CEO Speaking the same language” would be an opportunity to sit at the same table, discuss and reassess expectations of both parties The session will also include proposals and suggestions on how to enable internal audit function to better meet expectations of different stakeholders.
“Closing remarks” session will summarise the outcomes of the discussion panel and come out with a proper action plan based on the needs of both users and providers of internal audit activities. The action plan may be presented in the future to regulators and policymakers as a rich and important input for regulations and reforms regarding the internal audit function in Albania.
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Agenda
Hotel Tirana International, 18 June 2015
09:00 - 09:15 Registration/Welcome
09:15 - 09:30 Opening speech
Endrita XHAFERAJ,Secretary General, Albanian Association of Banks (AAB);
Stavri PASHKO, Executive Director, Albanian Institute of Internal Auditors (AIIA).
09:30 - 10:00 Relationship between internal audit and senior management
CEO perspective on Internal Audit
10:00 - 10:30 Challenges of internal auditors in the Albanian banking system
Dorida STAMBOLLA, Chief Audit Executive, Raiffeisen Bank, Albania, Head of internal audit committee at AAB.
10:30 - 10:45 Coffee break and Networking
10:45 - 12:00 Effective Internal Audit in the Financial Services Sector
Nicola Rimmer, Director, Barclays Bank, UK, Past President of IIA UK and Ireland.
The demands on internal audit departments is increasing, both from within our organisations as management increasingly rely on our opinion; and from the Regulators. Nicola’s session will provide an overview of these increasing demands, and describe how a new Code for Internal Audit in the UK is changing the position, profile and role of internal audit.
12:10 - 13:10 Business Lunch
13:20 - 13:50 The importance of Internal audit in the internal control system
Intervention from representatives of Bank of Albania (to be confirmed!)
13:50 - 15:20 Discussion Panel: CAE and CEO Speaking the same language
Panel Director: Jean-Pierre Garitte
Participants: CEOs and CAEs
15:20 - 15:35 Closing remarks
Endrita XHAFERAJ,Secretary General, Albanian Association of Banks (AAB);
Stavri PASHKO, Executive Director, Albanian Institute of Internal Auditors (AIIA).
15:35 - 16:00 Business Drink
Networking and afterconference comments
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Conference Speakers

Dorida is Director of Internal Audit Department at Raiffesein Bank Albania. She has been working in the financial services sector since 2001, mainly in positions related to Internal Audit and Finance. During her career she has worked for some of the most notable banking institutions in Albania. Dorida is also Head of the Committee of Internal Auditors at the Albanian Association of Banks where is proactively engaged with other members and stakeholders, such as Bank of Albania how to improve the internal auditing function in the Albanian banking environment. Specialized in risk management, internal controls and internal auditing, from more than 8 years, she is strategically directing her internal audit team to deliver value and qualitative services.

Nicola is currently a Director at Barclays, responsible for assisting the MD in running the Audit Team. She started her internal audit career in 1998 and has worked for various organisations (predominantly in financial services) including Aviva, HBOS, the Medical Defence Union and Friends Life. She also worked for the Financial Services Authority (the UK Regulator) and spent some time at a professional services firm specialising in governance, risk and control. Nicola attained the MIIA in 2000, and an MSc in Audit Management and Consultancy in 2001. She is currently studying for a PhD at Greenwich University.
