Auditor General's Report on the Public Accounts of Montserrat 2004

CHAPTER 5
5.0 THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL
5.1 Legislative mandate
168. The Audit’s mandate detailed in the Audit Act 2001 makes me
responsible for the audit of the Public Accounts, accounts of government
Ministries/Departments, statutory agencies (except where their legislation
provides for appointment of another auditor), and entities who are receiving
or seeking grants from the public purse.
5.2 Mission
169. Our mission is “to promote accountability, transparency and improved
stewardship in managing public resources by conducting independent and
objective reviews of the accounts and operations of central government and
statutory agencies; providing advice; and submitting timely <strong>Report</strong>s to
Accounting Officers and the Legislative Council”.
5.3 Auditing Standards
170. The Caribbean Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions
(CAROSAI) has formally adopted the International Organisation of Supreme
Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) standards. Montserrat is a member of
CAROSAI and hence follows the INTOSAI standards.
5.4 <strong>Report</strong>ing Criteria, Process and Practice
171. The main reporting criteria are the Audit Act and the Finance
(Administration) Act. These mandate the Statements in the Public Accounts
that are to be audited. We report on these. Additionally, we use our
professional judgement to report on issues that should be made known to
the Parliament and the public in the interest of accountability or which serve
as useful learning points to the public sector. These include
material non-compliance issues,
actual or potential loss of public funds,
significant breaches of or non-application of internal controls,
whether value-for-money was obtained for monies spent, and
whether services are being performed economically, efficiently
and effectively.
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