The second phase of a regional project supporting the measuring of performance of public auditors in the Pacific continues. During the week beginning 1st May 2017, the performance of the Kosrae Office of the Public Auditor (KOPA) was assessed by a peer review team consisting of auditors from the Pohnpei Office of the Public Auditor (POPA) and the Cook Islands Audit Office (CIAO). Members of the peer review team were Mr Allen Parker, Director of Audit, CIAO, Mr Iso Ihlen Joseph, Public Auditor Pohnpei State, Ms Elaine Carl, Administrative Officer, POPA and Ms Alice Etse, Audit Manager, POPA.

The week long assessment was conducted using the SAI Performance Measurement Framework (SAI PMF), a global framework that enables SAIs to assess their performance against International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs) and other established international good practices for external public auditing. This assessment is part of a regional project, “Supporting SAI Performance Measurement in PASAI” – a collaboration between the INTOSAI Development Initiatives (IDI), PASAI and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Mr Stoney Taulung, the Public Auditor of Kosrae and his staff, expressed their appreciation of the assessment and gratitude for the review. In particular he mentioned that the framework can be used to contribute to improved SAI capacity development through promoting the use of performance measurement and management, as well as identifying opportunities to strengthen and monitor SAI performance and accountability. Furthermore, the KOPA Audit Manager, Ms. Emma Balagot and KOPA staff also acknowledged the importance of the assessment and their acceptance of the preliminary findings as constructive feedback on areas where the SAI requires improvement.

All six SAIs from the Northern Pacific who are participating in the second phase of this project willbe presenting and discussing their draft reports during the reporting workshop to be held in the Marshall Islands in October 2017.

The implementation of SAI PMF is aligned with one of PASAI’s strategic goals, developing SAI’s performance measurement framework to assist with improving the delivery of SAI’s audit responsibilities in order to make a difference in the lives of citizens.

This assessment is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), INTOSAI Development Initiatives (IDI) and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).