Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority

Annual Report 2005
• A comprehensive budget system with an annual budget which is reviewed and
agreed by the Authority
• Regular reviews by the Authority of periodic and annual financial reports which
indicate financial performance against forecasts
• Setting targets to measure financial and other performances
• Clearly defined capital investment control guidelines
• Formal project management disciplines.
Arrangements have been made to outsource an Internal Audit Service, which operates
in accordance with the Framework Code of Best Practice, set out in the Code of
Practice on the Governance of State Bodies, which was adopted by the Authority
in June 2002.The Internal Audit Service is carried out by the Department of Justice
Equality and Law Reform. The Internal Audit Service reports regularly to the
Audit Committee.
The Authority will have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the Internal
Audit Service recommendations to ensure proper and effective financial control
procedures are maintained and the Audit Committee will review Internal Audit Plans to
include any newly identified areas.
In the year to 31 December 2005, the Authority progressed the documentation and
ongoing enhancement of the system of internal financial controls.
The Authority’s monitoring and review of the effectiveness of the systems of internal
financial control is informed by:
1) The work of the Internal Audit Service and the contribution of the Audit
Committee which oversees the work of the Internal Auditor and of the
corporate governance environment
2) The executive managers with the National Disability Authority who have
responsibility for the development and the maintenance of the financial control
framework
3) The issues raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
A formal review of the effectiveness of the systems of internal financial controls was
carried out by external consultants and completed in April 2005. A review has taken
place in the first half of 2006 to look at the structures, processes and procedures to
inform development of the finance function to enhance information on finances and the
planning, management and reporting of expenditure.
I confirm that the Authority has carried out a formal review of the effectiveness of the
systems of internal financial controls.
Angela Kerins
Chairperson
Date
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