(sav.gov.vn) – On the morning of 22 May in Hanoi, the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV), in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), held a seminar entitled “Sharing experiences and practices in public sector auditing – application of technology in the audit profession.”
The seminar was attended by Mr Bui Quoc Dzung – Deputy Auditor General, Mr Bui Hoang Phuong – Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Shantanu Chakraborty – Country Director of ADB Viet Nam, and Mr To Quoc Hung – Country Director of ACCA Viet Nam.
Also present at the event were over 200 delegates including representatives from central government agencies, experts from SAV, ACCA, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ADB Viet Nam, domestic and international audit firms, banks, research institutes, universities, and professional associations in the fields of finance and auditing.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Auditor General Bui Quoc Dzung noted that emerging technological trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, robotic process automation (RPA), and blockchain are fundamentally transforming audit practices. These technologies not only enhance accuracy and efficiency but also make the profession more attractive by liberating auditors from repetitive tasks and allowing them to focus on higher-value analytical and advisory roles. Furthermore, advanced data analytics has become an essential tool for auditors to assess risks, identify material misstatements, and extract valuable insights from vast volumes of unstructured data.
However, technology will not entirely replace human. The experience, intuition, and professional ethics of auditors remain central to maintaining public trust. Technologies serve as an enabler to work smarter – not as a replacement for human involvement. As such, auditors must continually upskill, adapt to modern methodologies, and uphold the core values of the profession.
In this context, with significant advantages, namely dynamic and youthful workforce and rapidly developing IT infrastructure, the SAV has favourable conditions to adopt the latest innovations of the digital revolution. Recently, the Auditor General emphasised that the application of AI in auditing is an “urgent task requiring immediate implementation” to improve management efficiency, in alignment with the national digital transformation direction. This commitment has already been translated into action.
The SAV has piloted the use of AI in a thematic audit on investment and application of information technology (IT) software and the procurement of IT services to support digital transformation in selected localities. The initial outcomes have been highly encouraging. AI has assisted auditors in more effectively analysing data and selecting samples; it has automatically updated legal regulations, compared and cross-referenced datasets across wide scopes to provide more accurate and comprehensive evaluations, and supported auditors in delivering more objective conclusions.
“If we seize the opportunity, Viet Nam can leapfrog stages and lead in many new trends to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public sector auditing. We can build a modern and transparent audit system that contributes meaningfully to national development and governance. With the right strategy and decisive action, Viet Nam can become a regional model in the application of technology to public auditing,” stressed Deputy Auditor General Bui Quoc Dzung.
He further commented that digital transformation in auditing is not merely about investing in hardware or software but entails a fundamental shift in mindset and practices. Every auditor must understand that technology is not a threat, but a vital opportunity to better fulfil their mission. This seminar serves as an occasion to learn from international experiences and gain practical insights from global partners. The exchange of international – level knowledge and expertise will enable the SAV to broaden its horizons and confidently shape a technology application strategy tailored to Viet Nam’s specific context.
The application of technology, particularly AI, in public sector auditing is inevitable. The only question is whether we act swiftly or slowly. I urge every unit and each auditor to actively acquire knowledge and skills in technology, to boldly propose and experiment with new approaches, and, most importantly, to transform your mindset in preparation for a digitalised audit future.
Viet Nam has every reason to be confident and optimistic as we are not venturing alone. We are a part of a global auditing community in transition, ready to share and collaborate. With committed leadership, the unity of our audit workforce, and support from technology experts, I am confident that the SAV will successfully embark on the digital era, enhancing the quality, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of all its operations.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong remarked that we are witnessing an explosion of digital data. ERP systems, e-payment platforms, and e-commerce transactions generate billions of records daily – far beyond the capacity of manual handling. Traditional random sampling methods in auditing are at risk of missing significant violations hidden within this “ocean of data”. This reality calls for a shift from sampling-based models to comprehensive data analysis, where AI and machine learning become indispensable allies.
Society now expects more than mere error detection from auditors, there is growing demand for early risk warning, policy guidance, and governance consultation. An audit report on public investment should not only identify budget discrepancies but also uncover root causes such as institutional design flaws or regulatory shortcomings. This challenge requires the integration of multidimensional data analytics and predictive models powered by AI and machine learning, according to the Deputy Minister.
Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong emphasised: digital transformation in auditing is not an option - it is an existential imperative for building modern governance. As Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated, “Digital transformation must become embedded in the DNA of all public sector activities.” Therefore, the audit sector must take even more concrete actions to drive digital transformation and apply AI technologies.
In the time ahead, SAV should focus on developing a comprehensive digital transformation model encompassing digital infrastructure, digital data, digital audit platforms for operational systems, intelligent analytics and forecasting tools, smart governance and oversight systems, skilled and committed personnel; assessing the impact of these elements on traditional audit procedures; and proposing effective implementation methods.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr Mike Suffield, Director of Policy and Insights at ACCA Global, affirmed that public sector auditing today extends beyond mere compliance. Its broader aim is to ensure public resources are utilised efficiently, effectively, and in a manner that delivers long-term value. Through technology adoption, institutional capacity-building, and adherence to ethical standards, the Vietnamese audit sector can take a pioneering role in shaping a sustainable public financial system.
During the seminar, delegates engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions to clarify the importance of the audit profession in the context of Viet Nam’s international integration and global adaptation, thereby reaffirming the critical role of public sector auditing. The seminar also shared and analysed domestic and international case studies on technology applications in auditing to inform their effective implementation in the Vietnamese context. From this, directions and solutions were proposed to develop a strategic vision for Viet Nam’s audit sector in alignment with global technological trends.
This seminar was not only a professional event but also a platform for connecting the public sector, academia, technology enterprises, and professional bodies, to foster knowledge sharing, strengthen collaboration, and propose comprehensive innovations in public auditing. The event also underscored the pioneering role of the SAV’s Audit Training School in shaping new audit mindsets: connecting knowledge, driving innovation, and spreading the spirit of digital transformation across the SAV sector.