Accountant General Joyce Hayward On Leave

December 5, 2012

Accountant General Joyce Hayward is presently on leave. An Official Notice in the Official Gazette said: “Ms Roseanne Foy, Assistant Accountant General, has been appointed to act as Accountant General for the period 28th November 2012 – 14th December 2012.”

The situation around the leave is unclear as we have been unable to get a formal clarification thus far. On Monday [Dec 3] we asked the Ministry of Finance about the matter, however the only reply we have received thus far is “no comment.”

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  1. Chart says:

    Hmmm. Very fishy. Sorry anywhere else in the corporate or government world, the sudden disappearance of a CFO would require immediate public transparency.

  2. Triangle Drifter says:

    Oh No! Ms Roseanne Foy, Assistant Accountant General, has not been made surrogate has she?

  3. Andrew Simons says:

    On November 19th, Ayo Johnson asked if the promised mid-year review would go ahead. A Government spokesperson said, “As it relates to the Mid-Year Budget/Economic Review, the Ministry of Finance does not have an update to provide at this time”.

    We now learn that the Accountant General has been placed on administrative leave. Let me be clear, the accountant General is the _chief financial officer_ for government, overseeing a budget in excess of one billion dollars.

    This is an unprecedented situation before an election in Bermuda.

    The premier must answer a few basic questions, in addition to the questions asked by Ms. Zuill:

    Does the ministry have an accurate accounting of our current budget position?

    If the answer is no, has the Premier made promises in the Throne Speech with no grounding in the current budget numbers?

    If the answer is yes, when will the government fulfill its open budgeting pledges and release the numbers?

    I have re-posted the questions I asked three weeks ago, but I direct them now at the premier / Minister of Finance.

    :: andrewwrsimons :: November 15, 2012 3:32 pm

    Madame Premier,
    On December 12th 2011you released the Pre-Budget Report in advance of Fiscal Year 2012/13, you said:
    “I rise today to give a Ministerial Statement to highlight the Government’s Pre-Budget Report which will be released to the public today.

    Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that this open budget process not only transforms lives, but also transforms the conversation. The Government hopes that through the open budget process, our citizens will have a better understanding of the choices that our country faces. A better understanding of these choices, by policymakers and citizens alike, will raise the level of debate and lead to better, more informed decisions.”
    (http://www.parliament.bm/uploadedFiles/Content/House_Business/Statements_by_Honourable_Members_and_Ministers_of_the_Cabinet/MS%20for%20Pre-Budget%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf)

    During the budget debate in the House of Assembly on 16 March 2012, you said:

    “The Government is committing to release more comprehensive quarterly reports of revenue and expenditure. Also, there is to be a mid-year review. We do not currently issue a mid-year review, but we are committing to releasing a mid-year review in this next fiscal year.”

    (http://www.parliament.bm/uploadedFiles/Content/Hansard/House_of_Assembly/Hansard_by_Session_Date/OHR%2017th%20Sitting%20of%20the%202011-12%20Session%2016%20March%202012%20pp%201561-1654.pdf)

    Madame Premier, as the former Minister for Finance, could you answer the following three questions:

    1. When will the government release the promised “mid-term review”?

    2. When will the government release the annual Pre-Budget Report?

    You released the Pre-Budget Report on the 12th of December last year. We have an election on December 17th this year. Could the government release the report earlier so we can, in your words, “have a better understanding of the choices that our country faces”? Again, as you said “A better understanding of these choices, by policymakers and citizens alike, will raise the level of debate and lead to better, more informed decisions.”

    3. At a minimum, could you tell us if we are on track to meet the budget estimates published in March?

    Note that the pre-budget report identified three scenarios for the Island’s economy. The optimistic scenario (average revenue growth of 4.5% through 2015-16), the pessimistic scenario (revenue contraction and slow recovery averaging no growth through 2015-16) and the middle scenario (average revenue growth of 2.75% through 2015-16).

    As the leader of our current government, you have access to these important figures. With less than two weeks to go before Bermudians make an important choice, please stop speaking in the abstract about “fairy-tales” and dark plots. Share the official numbers and we can transform the conversation.

    Andrew Simons
    One Bermuda Alliance candidate for Pembroke Central, constituency #17
    https://www.facebook.com/AndrewSimonsForPembrokeCentral

    • haha says:

      I’m confused. Did Mr Simons issue these questions formally? In a press conference or press statement? Or did he post on facebook?

    • Argosy says:

      Well said, Andrew.

      I doubt she will provide either any answers or the numbers as they are no doubt too damning….what other logical explanation can there be??

      A reasonable scenario could be that the Acct Gen wanted to comply with the programme and release the figures but was sent home instead, but of course, we cannot know because they will not comment!

    • jt says:

      This is an example of why a debate would be useless.

  4. Just Curious...smdh says:

    WTH – can’t people go on vacation? Why the need to create a negative story out it?

    • We the people says:

      Administrative leave has nothing to do with taking a vacation. The accountant general was “put” on admin leave by someone else–no choice in the matter. Mr. Andrew Simons has done an excellent job asking questions and explaining why this is an important issue. This doesn’t smell right.

    • Zombie Apocalypse says:

      Because it’s administrative leave, not vacation. Administrative leave is used if there is an allegation of misconduct. That is why it is a news story.

  5. Joe Perry says:

    Just Curious…..

    The point is that she has not gone on vacation, she has been put on Administrative Leave, a huge difference.

    No contact with office or employees, no email access and has to hand in her government blackberry, PC etc, while a formal investigation is undertaken….thats not a vacation.

  6. Lee says:

    It’s only for two weeks, probably just a holiday.

    • Zombie Apocalypse says:

      It keeps her away from the office until after the election. What convenient timing.

      • Keturah says:

        She’s meant to be back on dec 14th…..before the election.

        • It's about time! says:

          Seriously???? Her leave is through to the 14th you numbskull!! The 14th is a Friday…the next working day is Monday the 17th!!! Does that date ring a bell????

          • Keturah says:

            No need to be insulting….I didnt realize the 14th was a Friday.

    • blankman says:

      Administrative leave is not “vacation” – it’s perhaps most simply described as “suspended with pay”.

  7. Family Man says:

    A government of openness, the sunshine of public scrutiny, transparency, re-setting the dial, recalibrating …..

    “No comment”

  8. Zombie Apocalypse says:

    I wonder what she found that made them want her out of the way in the run-up to the election.

  9. Union Member says:

    Government will not be open until PATI is implemented. This is being stalled and I doubt the OBA when they get in office will speed it up. PATI is ultimate accountability.

  10. Private Pyle says:

    Fishy business!

  11. ella says:

    @justcurious – administration leave is not “on vacation” This reminds me of the incident with the Hospital Board only to find out that man was stealing our monies!

  12. Smell a Rat says:

    I smell a RAT

    Guvmint is always VERY SLOW to act on anything internally due to fear of BPSU and news getting into media, this means they already have their EVIDENCE to be bold enough to put someone on leave

    Guvmint moves slow so this is deliberate and thought out

    Bye bye birdie

    there is always Wedco, Bldc, EEZ as alternatives for employment we gotta take care of peoples

  13. Jay Kempe says:

    Wow! Here we go again. Thank heavens for the new Good Governance Act, it really is clearing things up and making Bermuda a better governed and more transparent community!!

    I do not know why administrative leave is appropriate in this case and it is unfair to speculate. However, in a developed democracy where good governance and transparency are exercised, the public has a right to know and our leaders should be explaining what is happening here. After all, the Accountant General is the public’s accountant, not the governing party’s accountant.

    • Vote for Me says:

      @ Jay Kempe
      You are correct about the roel of teh Accountant General. You will also know that the Minister of Finance would not have any direct involvement with the Accountant General. Any direct contact would be with the Financial Secretary.

  14. Steve Davis says:

    The PLP has a secret plan, it is called the government of Bermuda’s financial statements!!

  15. Vote for Me says:

    Note that the Financial Secretary is the equivalent of CFO in a private business. The Accountant General is probably closer to the Chief Accounting Officer in a private company. Thus any information that is required will still be available and accessible.

  16. longtail says:

    Now here is a ‘secret report’ that was NOT covered in the press 3 years ago… and what is the Ewart Brown (We Had to Deceive You) Party saying about this one? No Comment!!!!

  17. Jay Kempe says:

    @Vote for Me

    …..and who does the Financial Secretary report to? Do you really think Paula Cox knows nothing about this?!

    Given that:

    1. Government’s finances (solvency) have been very poor/suspect;
    2. The Minister of Finance is Govermnent’s senior financial officer who apparently supports good governance and transparency;
    4. The Minister of Finance is also the Premier/Government Leader; and
    2. We are less than 2 weeks from a General Election….

    do you not think something from the Minister of Finance is appropriate?

    • Jay Kempe says:

      @Vote for Me

      ……and who does the Financial Secretary report to? Do you really think Paula Cox knows nothing about this?!

      Given that:

      1. Government’s finances (solvency) have been very poor/suspect;
      2. The Minister of Finance is Govermnent’s senior financial officer who apparently supports good governance and transparency;
      3. The Minister of Finance is also the Premier/Government Leader; and
      4. We are less than 2 weeks from a General Election……

      …….do you not think something from the Minister of Finance is appropriate?

  18. Opressed says:

    Limehouse

  19. Argosy says:

    The Premier/Minister of Finance is going to reveal the details of this situation PLUS provide the promised mid-term and budget numbers in the course of her keynote speech at the east-end rally tonight.

    So I’m told by a very reliable source!!

    This makes sense as they are offering up their manefesto today, which would have a very hollow ring to it if we didn’t have any facts to support the basis for their plan.

    Notwithstanding the reliability of my source, I ain’t gonna hold my breath….

    JOKERS!!