Auditors urged to steer Clean Audit project

Friday, 01 March 2013

Internal Auditors and Audit Committees in the Province are expected to play even greater role in ensuring the integrity of the financial information and system of internal controls in departments, public entities and municipalities, said Mr JB Mbatha.

Addressing the Annual meeting of Internal Auditors, near Skukuza on the 28th February 2013, former Acting Head of Department of Finance said the work of accounting professionals is critical for effective financial governance in departments and municipalities.

Mr Mbatha urged Internal Auditors to assist the Executive Authorities and Accounting Officers to enforce good ethos in the workplace.

He applauded sterling work that accounting professionals do in ensuring effective and financial accounting and reporting in Government.

“We see Internal Auditors, Risk officers and Accountants in general as credible agent of change in the public sector, said Mr Mbatha.

He acknowledged the challenges that Internal Auditor experience when carrying out their responsibilities.

“Many points out that Internal Auditors do not have the liberty to exercise the unbiased and independent attitude so necessary to an auditor.

“It is also stated that Internal Audit reports are sometimes not accepted by management, leading to non-implementation of audit recommendations.

“We need to change that. We must all play a role in making change possible,” said Mr Mbatha.

He said Internal Auditors and Risk Officers critical for successful delivery of the objectives of Operation Clean Audit.

“Internal Auditors should assist make Operation Clean Audit Project succeed, by making inputs to address the issues that Auditor General raised in his latest reports and recommend sustainable solutions to improve internal controls in departments and municipalities.

The Annual Internal Audit Forum was also attended by the newly appointed Provincial Auditor General (Manager) Ms Sibongile Lubambo and representatives from Accounting Firms.