Financial and performance auditors to benefit from mixed approach to report writing training

20 October 2021

Auckland, New Zealand: The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is delivering a course on report writing skills for auditors from 27 October 2021. This course builds on the popular two-day PASAI Report Writing workshops run in December 2020.

The course incorporates proven blended learning principles and consists of video tutorials, ‘live’ workshops and practical exercises to be completed by participants. Programme material will include examples and best practice guidance from the Office of the Auditor-General, New Zealand.

Sarah Markley (Deputy Secretary-General, PASAI) and Nicole Ayo von Thun (Senior Advisor, International Engagement, Office of the Auditor-General New Zealand) will facilitate the workshops and moderate the feedback on participant coursework.

They will be joined in the ‘live’ workshops by financial auditors, performance auditors, and report writing experts from SAI New Zealand’s Communications and Engagement Team.

Sarah explained the course’s blended learning approach, “The course is designed to encourage active participant engagement at a number of stages throughout the course, both in live workshops and through activities on PASAI’s Learning Platform.

“This will help participants to build report writing capabilities and improve writing standards at their SAI,” she said.

The course aims not only to give participants the knowledge and skills to produce high quality reports, but also to improve their written communication with key stakeholders, such as Parliament/the Legislature, those charged with governance and the media.

PASAI acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

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Course overview video

Contact information:

Esther Lameko-Poutoa, Chief Executive PASAI, Auckland, New Zealand
E: secretariat@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275

PDF version of this media release

SAI FSM releases report on 2020 Social Security Benefits

8 October 2021

Palikir, Pohnpei: This is to announce the issuance of our new inspection report on the FSM Social Security Benefits for calendar year 2020, January through December. This inspection was initiated through an anonymous complaint that was received at our Compliance Investigation Division (CID) hotline. The complaint contained allegations of “mismanagement of the Social Security Administration (SSA) funds.” The complainant alleged that “there are some beneficiaries over 65 years of age who are receiving 100% of social security benefits even while they are gainfully employed.” We conducted this inspection in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspections and Evaluations (QSIE) issued by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).

Based on our inspection, we found instances of overpaid benefits that were not recovered for 5-7 years. Our findings reflect the need to strengthen the management and operations capacity of the FSMSSA, including the need to improve internal controls and mechanisms that affect the processing of application for benefits, the monitoring of active beneficiaries and detection of ineligible beneficiaries.

The inspection disclosed the following findings:

a) Uncollected debt of over $27,000 is linked to overpaid retirement benefits to members that were reported to have continued to receive 100% benefits even after returning to active employment;
b) FSM SSA does not have sufficient measures in place to effectively monitor and adjust payments to beneficiaries who have passed; and
c) Unaccounted contributions indicate lack of reconciliation and untimely posting to members’ accounts.

Printed copies of the Inspection Report are available at the ONPA located in Palikir, Pohnpei.

PDF of ONPA Press Release #2021-08

SAI FSM releases report on Kosrae Postal Services collections and deposits

4 October 2021

Palikir, Pohnpei: This is to announce the issuance of our new inspection report on the FSM Postal Services, Kosrae Branch Office covering its revenue collections and deposits for the months from October 2020 through January 2021. This inspection was initiated based on a request by the Acting Postmaster General who had concerns of potential violations of the Financial Management Regulations (FMR 2019 version), which requires the deposit of revenue collections no later than the next business day. This inspection was conducted in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspections and Evaluations issued by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).

Based on our inspection, we found that the revenue collections for the FSM Postal Office located in Kosrae State were not deposited on time as required by the FMR. We also found some instances of missing records of collections within the period of our inspection scope under the management of the former Acting Postmaster for the FSM Postal Office in Kosrae, who voluntarily resigned prior to the start of this inspection. Our inspection also revealed the need to strengthen and improve the monitoring and oversight function by the Headquarters over the operations of the FSM Postal Office in Kosrae State.

The inspection disclosed the following findings:

1. The FSM Post Office in Kosrae did not comply with the FMR pertaining to the requirements for depositing the daily collections on the next business day; and

2. Effective oversight by the Headquarters is necessary to ensure compliance to laws and regulations and to prevent any financial losses to the FSM Postal Service.

Printed copies of the Inspection Report are available at the ONPA located in Palikir, Pohnpei.

PDF of ONPA Press Release #2021-07