Public Bodies Commended for Their Responsiveness to Audit Requests

Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Darlene Morrison, is commending public bodies for improving their responsiveness to audit requests.

Addressing the annual Audit Committees’ Conference at The Summit in Kingston on Thursday (November 7), Ms. Morrison said there has been a noticeable improvement over the last three years.

“One of the reliable means of determining how well the organisation is addressing risk exposures, is the effectiveness of management response to audit queries. It has been noted from the audit committees’ reports received, that there has been consistent improvement in this metric with 52 per cent reported in the year 2023/24, up from 45 per cent in 2022/23 and 20 per cent in 2021/22,” she informed.

An audit request can refer to a number of things, including a written request for information, clarification and supporting documentation.

The Financial Secretary further stated that, “while there are committees that have reported a deterioration in management responsiveness to audit qualities in some MDA’s (Ministries, Departments and Agencies), the 52 per cent in the year 2023/24 reflects an overall improvement year on year, notwithstanding there is much more that needs to be done to improve this matrix.”

“In order to see any marked improvement in this fiscal year 2024/25, there must be increased engagement with senior management and collaboration with respective heads of entities. As guardians of trust and courage, every chairman must ensure that the matter of management responses is on every audit committee meeting agenda, so that it is monitored for every entity,” Ms. Morrison underscored.

She said failure to respond to audit requests can have lasting consequences, which should be avoided.

“For example, reports of misappropriation of funds, misuse of data, ethical misconduct, procurement irregularities and failure to align priorities with budgetary allocations can undermine trust across our society, as a whole, and also internationally,” Ms. Morrison stated.

She also emphasised the importance of internal auditors conducting audits that can detect risks and provide the committees with relevant and timely information.

“That will allow them to be effective in their oversight responsibilities and, where necessary, escalate matters that have the potential to negatively impact and erode confidence in equality, integrity and the effectiveness of our governance systems,” the Financial Secretary said.