The Internal Audit Unit is responsible for carrying out internal audit services for all Government Ministries & Departments.
The Role of the Internal Audit Unit is mandated in the Financial Management Act 2004 Part 64A which states:
- The Permanent Secretary responsible for finance must ensure that an internal audit is conducted to determine whether the financial affairs, operations and activities of a department are being performed economically, effectively and efficiently, in compliance with all relevant written laws and with due regard to the principles of responsible fiscal management.
- The Minister may authorize that an internal audit is conducted to determine whether the financial affairs, operations and activities of any other budget sector agency or an off-budget State entity are being performed economically, effectively and efficiently, in compliance with all relevant written laws and with due regard to the principles of responsible fiscal management.
The Internal Audit and Good Governance Division conducts internal audits for Government Ministries and Departments using a Risk based approach.
The Special Audit Unit
The role of Special audit is mandated in the Financial Management Act 2004 Part 64A (3)
The permanent secretary responsible for finance may authorize that—
a. a special audit is conducted to determine whether the financial affairs, operations and activities of a budget sector agency or an off-budget State entity are being performed in compliance with all relevant written laws and with due regard to the principles of responsible fiscal management; and
b. an audit of the accounts of any recipient of a government grant is conducted to the extent necessary to ensure that any condition of the grant has been complied with.
The core role of the Unit is to carry out special audits of Government Ministries and Departments and State-Owned Entities.
A special audit is initiated upon request from any of the following:
• Office of the Prime Minister;
• Permanent Secretary for Finance;
• Permanent Secretary of any other Ministry; or
• Other request that will be approved by the Permanent Secretary for Finance.
This is then sanctioned by the Permanent Secretary for Finance by way of a Special Audit Terms of Reference.
The unit’s audit approach, is structured to provide objective assurance and consulting activity to add value and improve Ministries & Departments operations. For this the unit is using a 5 steps approach shown in the diagram.
In carrying out its role, the unit hope to assist the Ministries/Departments accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the organisation process, control and governance.
