Govt urged to get a chief accountant

Press, 29 May 1978, Page 7

Govt urged to get a chief accountant

Parliamentary reporter Financial management in Government departments is mediocre and lacks positive leadership, according to a review of the 30 departments. A step towards remedying this situation would be the creation of the position of Chief Accountant of Government, says a report of the review tabled in Parliament yesterday by the Controller and Audi-tor-General (Mr A. C, Shades). The report says that there is a serious shortage of competent accountants able to provide a sound financial-management service and that the situation could soon become critical because of many retirements in the next few years. It says that the heavy

emphasis put on dugetary emphasis put on bugetary accountants have neglected to provide their department with the advice needed to evaluate spending proposals and ensure the efficient use of resources. The report envisages the Chief Accountant of Government to be a person with a proven record of outstanding competence and achievement from either the public ar private sector. The Audit Office also comes in for criticism on its unsatisfactory examination of departments. A recent review of the manner in which the office discharges its responsibilities has lead to the introduction of new auditing techniques. The report recognises benefits resulting from efficiency and economy re-

views of departmental activities and recommends the use of specialists from the private sector for these reviews. The report also says that more financial authority should be delegated to senior departmental staff. It says that some senior staff have very restricted financial delegation or no delegation at all, particularly in technical managements, where professional and technical responsibility has not been matched .in . the financial sphere. The report says that existing delegations are unrealistic and generate much of the criticised paperwork and “red tape” of the Government. Branch managers have continually to seek approval at higher levels and this caused frustrating delays.