Auditor Releases Report On Recommendations
Auditor General Heather Thomas released a “compilation report on the status of Audit Recommendations from Selected Government- Related Entities whose last audit was for fiscal year 2021 or earlier and who are not scheduled for a financial statement audit in fiscal year 2024/25.”
A spokesperson said, “In the course of our audit, we may identify recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government financial management. These recommendations form part of our audit report package and serve as a call to action to address the findings, typically within a year before the next audit. Through our audit work and reports, we strive to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of government operations, while holding audited bodies responsible for addressing identified weaknesses and improving and promoting government accountability. These reports serve to provide transparency and accountability in the follow-up process.
“The entities covered in this report are long overdue for their financial statement audits and as a result; we considered it necessary to obtain updates on their progress in addressing our recommendations and assess their readiness for future audit[s].
The Auditor General said, ‘Management is responsible for addressing and implementing the audit recommendations. As the Legislative Auditor, it is my job to ensure actions taken and the intended results are achieved. Because of client’s delays in submitting these accounts to my office, the follow-up on the implementation of audit recommendations has not been timely. Reports like this one are essential to ensure recommendations are acted upon’.
The report contains a compilation of thirteen self-assessment questionnaires from auditees whose last audit was for fiscal year 2021 or earlier.
Heather Thomas said, ‘The entities included in this report reported roughly $2.2 billion of entrusted assets and $151 million in obligations owed. Of the 10 entities included in this report, five received a disclaimer of opinion. A Disclaimer of opinion is when; I was unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence on which to base my opinion. In other words, ‘I can’t tell if their financial statements are correct or not because I was not able to obtain sufficient evidence.’
Reports of the Office of the Auditor General are made available on the Office of the Auditor General’s website.
The full Follow-Up of Previously Issued Recommendations details follows below [PDF here]:
