Network of Tutors and Experts for Accounting and Auditing

This network offers opportunities for sharing knowledge and experience in delivering both certification and learning and knowledge-sharing programs in accounting and auditing. It fosters a sense of community and peer support among accountants and auditors. Network members, including tutors who have delivered certification programs for public sector accountants and auditors, as well as experienced professionals in accounting and auditing, actively identify learning needs, co-create and co-deliver learning activities, and participate in the annual meeting.

Network leaders

Jasmina Popović

Officer, Learning Program

jasmina.popovic(at)cef-see.org

Kaja Nadj

Head of the Learning Program Team

kaja.nadj(at)cef-see.org

2026 Highlights

Building on three years of successful networking, this annual CEF–CIPFA event brings together long-term regional accounting and auditing experts and tutors engaged in certification programs across South East Europe. The gathering serves as a platform for exchanging experience, identifying emerging learning needs and professional trends, and discussing how to ensure the sustainability and quality of certification trainings in different country contexts.

Closely linked to the accounting and auditing certification programs that CEF has been delivering in cooperation with CIPFA for nearly 20 years, the event supports the transition from a network of experts to a vibrant community of practice. Participants will explore relevant technical and professional topics, receive targeted training on jointly agreed priority areas to support their professional growth, share solutions and diverse practices, and contribute to the co-creation and delivery of future learning activities.

This regular annual event aims to strengthen regional collaboration, support professional growth, and encourage lasting peer connections among accountants and auditors.

Certification Program Advances Public Sector Forensic Capacity with First Examination Sitting

Over the past four months, participants in the Managing Forensic Assignments in the Public Sector certification program completed online modules covering fraud principles, public sector fraud risks, digital forensics, and data analytics. On January 28, 2026, participants undertook the first sitting of the certification examination, an important step toward professional certification and applying the learning within their institutions.

Mastering Audit Skills through Hands-On, Peer-Based Learning

Earlier this year, Elena Gubavu from the National Bank of Romania attended the “Mastering Skills through On-the-Job Training for Internal Auditors” training. It brought together public sector internal auditors from different institutions and countries, combining an intensive face-to-face workshop with mentor-supported group work and online peer learning. The aim was to strengthen practical internal audit capacity to deliver value-added assurance engagements aligned with the new Global Internal Audit Standards.

Advancing Public Property Management in Kosovo

As part of the Efficient Public Sector Asset Management (EPSAM) project, Albana Shala, Director of the Office for Public Property Administration (OPPA) within the Prime Minister’s Office of Kosovo, shares her reflection on how participating in the CEF learning activities has shaped her professional growth and supported the development of the OPPA. Through her experience, she highlights the valuable skills, knowledge, and practical tools gained during the program, and demonstrates how these learning opportunities have contributed to strengthening public asset management practices in Kosovo.

Kick-off of Regional Certification Trainings

In October, we officially launched two regional certification learning programs designed to strengthen public officials’ capacities in managing forensic assignments and public sector assets. These certification trainings bring together professionals from across South East and Eastern Europe to enhance integrity, accountability, and efficiency in public financial management.

Get Ready for a New Season of Learning Opportunities at the CEF

As autumn approaches, we are starting an exciting new learning season filled with opportunities to strengthen skills, share experiences, and foster regional cooperation. Our learning program this fall offers a diverse mix of webinars, workshops, and certification programs designed to address pressing challenges and build professional capacity across the public sector.

Advancing Internal Audit through CEF Learning Events

We are happy to share reflections from Grigor Aramyan, Chief Audit Executive from Armenia, who recently took part in the CEF learning initiative Mastering Skills through On-the-Job Training for Internal Auditors. Grigor brings a valuable perspective on how this hands-on experience helped him enhance his professional practice, support internal audit reforms in his organization, and share knowledge with peers across the region.

Strengthening Public Sector Internal Auditing in Moldova

The Empowered Accountants and Auditors for Accountable Public Sector in Moldova (EAPS Moldova) project has been officially launched, with the goal of enhancing the sustainability and quality of certification training for internal auditors in Moldova’s public sector. Over a two-year period—from January 2025 to December 2026—a dedicated team of 15 international, Moldovan, and CEF experts will work intensively to deliver targeted improvements.

Rethinking Trust in Public Finance

Building on more than two decades of collaboration, the CEF and Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) hosted their fifth joint public finance conference in South East Europe on June 10–11, 2025, in Zagreb. This year’s edition, titled Trust in Public Finance: Perceptions vs. Practice, marked a milestone by introducing a new partnership with the European Commission Representation in Croatia.

Strengthening Public Sector Asset Management in North Macedonia

In mid-March, we organized country visits to the Macedonian Ministry of Finance and the State Audit Office, bringing together policymakers and stakeholders to exchange experiences on reform implementation and asset management. These discussions highlighted how effective state asset management enhances transparency, accountability, and smarter decision-making.

USAID Supports the Completion of the On-the-Job Training for Albanian Auditors

Sixteen internal auditors from Albania have successfully completed the On-the-Job Training (OJT) component of the Training of Internal Auditors in the Public Sector (TIAPS) program, designed to enhance local auditing practices in line with EU standards and Albania's strategic goals. This training, which combined both online and in-person sessions, focused on developing key competencies in Quality Assurance and Improvement Programs (QAIP) and Performance Auditing (PA) Planning.

Boosting Public Financial Management in Albania with the Advanced Training for Internal Auditors

The CEF, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and the Support for Improvement in Government and Management (OECD Sigma) have partnered to strengthen public financial management capacities in Albania. Together, they launched the Training of Internal Auditors in the Public Sector (TIAPS), aimed at enhancing Albania’s internal audit systems and supporting reforms critical to the EU accession negotiations.