The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) held its second meeting of the year from June 27-June 30. Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union in Luxembourg, hosted the meeting, which was opened by Dr. Silke Stapel-Weber, Director of Directorate C: National Accounts, Prices and Key Indicators, Eurostat.
Mapping and iCAT Workshop for Tonga
A workshop on Conducting Mapping and iCAT (ISSAI Compliance Assessment Tools) was held at the Tungi Colonnade Hotel, Nuku’alofa, Tonga for the staff of the Tonga Office of the Auditor General (TOAG). The workshop was delivered by the Norway based INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), an organisation that supports the strengthening of performance and capacities of government audit offices or Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) around the world.
The workshop is the start of support to SAI Tonga for implementing ISSAIs (International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions) under the Support for External Oversight Function of the Public Financial Management System (Tonga). The 30 or so participants which included the senior management staff of the TOAG, were trained on a method to implement ISSAIs in a holistic and phased approach. It is holistic as it involves the adoption and implementation of ISSAIs for financial, compliance and performance audits; and phased allowing the TOAG to be fully compliant with the standards over a period of time, while at the same time have minimum impact on the usual operational work of the TOAG.
Mr. Sefita Tangi, Auditor-General of Tonga remarked, “The Tonga Audit Office is grateful for this opportunity to pilot in the Pacific region the SAI level support project of the IDI’s global ISSAI implementation initiative, 3i Programme Phase II. The expected outcome of this project is ISSAI compliant audits conducted by the TOAG.”
The workshop was facilitated by Shofiqul Islam, IDI Manager Capacity Development, and assisted by Eroni Vatuloka, PASAI PFM (Public Financial Management) Consultant.
PASAI acknowledges the kind financial support of the Australian Government and the IDI in improving public financial management in Tonga.
IPSAS Training for Tonga Government
The Pacific Association for Supreme Audit Intuitions (PASAI) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) partnered last week to promote improved government transparency and accountability through training on ‘International Public Sector Accounting Standards’ (IPSAS).
The week-long training programme from 3-7 July 2017 for the Tonga government accountants and auditors concluded on Friday in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. It was attended by 30 participants from the Office of the Auditor-General, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, government ministries and public enterprises. The participants are now more equipped with the skills needed to produce financial statements in line with international accounting standards.
“The high level of participation including attendance during a public holiday underscores the importance of attaining the world’s best accounting skills and standards,” said Mr Sefita Tangi, Auditor-General of Tonga.
The USP also delivered an online course on IPSAS Cash Basis using its online learning management system called ‘Moodle’. Four staff of the Tonga Office of the Auditor-General and two from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning participated in this online learning.
“Australia is pleased to support this important work in Tonga. Strengthened accounting skills and broader public financial management will help to build the confidence of both the general public and those wanting to invest in Tonga’s future”, said Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner, Rhona McPhee.
The programme is one of the activities under the Support for External Oversight Function of the Public Financial Management System (Tonga) which aims to enhance the knowledge and interpretation of IPSAS and their application. The use of cases from the Tonga Whole of Government and public enterprises accounts assisted the participants in understanding the practical application of the standards. The knowledge gained from the training hopes to improve the quality of the financial statements of Tonga government and public enterprises.
PASAI acknowledges the kind financial support of the Australian Government in improving public financial management in Tonga.
Photo: Workshop facilitators and participants.
After 6 years, Marshall Islands govt files an audit on time
For the first time in six years, the Marshall Islands government has completed its annual financial audit on time, confirming improvements in the financial accountability system at the Ministry of Finance.
For the full article, CLICK HERE
By Giff Johnson, RNZ Pacific correspondent in Majuro.
Tuvalu Communications training for Stakeholder Engagement
PASAI was in Tuvalu last week conducting a communications workshop, ‘Communicating and Promoting Value and Benefits of SAI’. This workshop is the fourth SAI specific communications training that PASAI has delivered over the last12 months, with the aim to improve report writing and stakeholder engagement for its members.
In addition to the nine staff of the audit office, participants also included three staff from the Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation (TVBC) and the Media Liaison officer of the Prime Minister’s office.
In his opening remarks, Auditor-General Mr. Eli Lopati stated, “It is expected that after this workshop, the audit staff will be able to provide report writing at the expected level and also to formulate a good communication strategy for our office. For the rest of the participants, the non-auditors, I understand it will assist them to improve part of their responsibilities in their respective sectors and also to enablethem to prepare their communication strategy.”
Participants actively engaged in discussions and activities that equipped them with strategies, tools and knowledge on how to create a communications strategy and write clear reports. The sessions also covered presentation skills, dealing with the media, social media and how to write media releases.
Tuvalu SAI staff commented, “This training is a wake up call. The pre-test showedme that I need to improve my communication.” “The sessions are helping us with drafting our communication strategy for our office. It been really good.”
Media Advisor for the Tuvalu Government, Silafaga Lalua Tauetia said, “The Tuvalu SAI Communication workshop has helped me boost my confidence in developing my own communication strategy and in doing my work as a communication officer. Most importantly this opportunity has taught me about the work of our SAI and how I can help in the dissemination of its message to the citizens of Tuvalu.”
The Tuvalu Office of the Auditor-General will be hosting the 20th PASAI Congress from 8 – 11 August 2017 with the theme “Promoting Values and Benefits of SAIs through Effective Communication”. This workshop has been a good lead in to the Congress.
The training was co-facilitated by PASAI’s Director of Advocacy, Engagement and Financing, Aolele Su’a Aloese and PASAI’s Communications Advisor, Tina Vaka. The training was hosted by the Tuvalu Office of the Auditor-General and supported bythe Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
Photo above: Participants of the Tuvalu Communications workshop with Auditor-General Eli Lopati (front row, second from the left) and guest speaker, Reverend Ken (front row, second from the right).
Photo above: Participants discussing who their stakeholders are.
Leadership opportunity with the PASAI Secretariat
The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is the official association of 28 Supreme Audit Institutions (government audit offices and similar organisations, known as SAIs) in the Pacific region.
PASAI has an Auckland-based Secretariat and operates through a New Zealand-registered incorporated society. Its budget is about NZ$3 million each year, although this is expected to increase. Its work is funded by several development partners, including the Asian Development Bank, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the World Bank Group.
To better align the current Secretariat to PASAI's 10-year Strategic Plan, PASAI is seeking suitably qualified and experienced staff. This staff will help the Secretariat deliver its Strategic Plan and promote transparent, accountable, effective, and efficient use of public sector resources in the Pacific.
We're recruiting for the following accounting/auditing technical role:
Director – Advocacy, Engagement and Financing:
The Director – Advocacy, Engagement and Financing contributes to strengthening SAI independence, governance, transparency and accountability by developing and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders and donors to finance and help the SAIs and PASAI achieve these objectives.
This role is one of senior leader positions within the PASAI Secretariat. The person in this role will need to work together and with consultants to support the implementation and delivery of the strategic and operational plan. Some work will be carried out at locations within New Zealand, around the Pacific and further abroad.
For more information on this role, please contact Tiofilusi Tiueti, Chief Executive, PASAI on +64 9 304 1275 or tiofilusi.tiueti@pasai.org, or for recruitment queries please contact Natalie Price on +64 9 304 1275 or natalie.price@pasai.org.
You must apply online through www.jobs.govt.nz (and you'll find the position descriptions there, too).
Applications close: Friday 14 July 2017.
