One year after stepping into the role, Comptroller and Auditor-General Lynn Pamment has published a ‘think piece’ outlining some of her findings over the last 12 months and has raised concerns over the financial transparency and audit of a number of States-linked bodies.
The report recommends that a framework for more consistent production of accounts is set up and that the CAG should be able to appoint auditors for all of the bodies in question.
It outlines that States-linked bodies that currently produce ‘limited financial information’ include the States police, the children’s commissioner, the director of civil aviation and the States Employment Board.
A statement released by the CAG says: ‘The CAG observes that the availability of published financial information in respect of States-controlled and States established entities varies.
‘She emphasises the need for a consistent framework for the production of annual reports and accounts for States established and States-controlled entities.
‘She also suggests that there should be a consistent definition in legislation of States established and States-controlled entities with a list maintained of entities that meet this definition.
‘To accompany the framework for annual reports and accounts, the CAG recommends a consistent and coherent statutory framework for the provision of independent assurance on the reported results of those entities.’
Mrs Pamment said that her recommendations would help ensure that public money was spent ‘economically, efficiently and effectively’.
‘Delivering that assurance requires that the framework for public audit is comprehensive and robust,’ she said.
‘High quality audit is facilitated by high quality financial and associated non-financial reporting. Further consideration should be given to the requirements for disclosure and audit of relevant financial information in respect of the entities listed in the think piece, given that most of the entities operate with some degree of independence from the States of Jersey.
‘A starting point to a more consistent framework for reporting is to require those entities that do not publish an annual report or financial information to do so on a consistent basis.’
The report was welcomed by Public Accounts Committee chair Deputy Inna Gardiner, who said she was ‘supportive’ of the recommendation for the CAG to oversee the appointment of auditors for all public-funded bodies
Meanwhile, Treasury Minister Susie Pinel said her team would ‘welcome’ the CAG’s contribution in the areas of audit and reporting.
