The Report of the Auditor General on the Audit of the Public Accounts of Montserrat 2017-2018 was presented to the Legislative Assembly on 15 May 2019.
The Auditor General has the responsibility of auditing the Public Accounts of Montserrat and of all public offices and public bodies established by an Act of Parliament and to provide a report on her findings to the Legislative Assembly as per Section 103 of the Montserrat Constitution order and Section 42(1) of the Public Finance (Management and Accountability) Act 2008.
Conclusions from the Audit of the 2017-18 Accounts
The Government of Montserrat recently received a qualified opinion on the 2017- 2018 Public Accounts of Montserrat. This audit opinion was given as the Government’s External Auditors determined that most matters have been dealt with adequately, except for the following:
a) Expenditures incurred without the authorization of a warrant provided by the Minister as mandated by Section 24 of the Public Finance Management and Accountability Act;
b) Long outstanding over-expenditures on project accounts with no movement on the account within the reporting period and with no prospect of recovery on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities on the Development Fund representing 276% of the total assets of that Statement; and the
c) Inability to determine whether the Arrears of Revenue Statement is complete and accurate due to the non-submission of arrears listings by some Ministries/Departments. Arrears of Revenue stood at $19,549,406 some of which are deemed uncollectible and their inclusion
tends to distort collectible amounts.
It is recommended that GOM make greater effort to write off un-reconcilable and non-recoverable amounts from the accounts and to ensure that all expenditure incurred are properly authorized.
Read the full report here….5-31-19-Auditor General’s Report on the Public Accounts 2018 Final Amended
It can also be read at the Montserrat Public Library or on the Auditor General’s website at www.oag.gov.ms.
