Auditor General

The Government of Montserrat is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Auditor General, within the Office of the Auditor General.

The Government of Montserrat is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Auditor General, within the Office of the Auditor General.

JOB PURPOSE

The role of the Auditor General is defined by Section 103(1) of the 2010 Constitution 

“The Auditor-General shall audit and report on the public accounts of Montserrat and of all public offices, including the courts, the central and local government administrations, universities and higher education institutions, and any public corporations or other bodies or organisations established by an Act of the Legislature, and may conduct financial and value for money audits in respect of any project involving public funds.”

The Auditor General is appointed by the Governor and reports to Parliament through the Public Accounts Committee (the “PAC”) on the performance of the government and government agencies, and the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of government.  The Auditor General is the independent auditor of government spending working on behalf of Parliament and the wider public. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

AUDIT PERFORMANCE

The Auditor General is responsible for reporting the results of the OAG’s audits and investigations which includes financial statements audits for all government entities and the Entire Public Sector Consolidated Financial Statements, performance audits and other investigations.

The Auditor General is required to present at least one general report on the annual financial statement audits to the Public Accounts Committee each year.  The Auditor General is required to provide high quality advice, assistance and support to the relevant government bodies, attending PAC meetings and providing support to enable the PAC to effectively discharge its responsibilities.

CORPORATE PERFORMANCE

The Auditor General is responsible for the overall management and direction of the OAG, and its use of resources.  The Auditor General is responsible for providing strong ethical leadership to the OAG that demonstrates the values expected of a public servant and a professional accountant, which should act as an exemplar to the Public Service in Montserrat. 

The Auditor General is accountable and responsible for:

• providing strategic direction to the OAG and for ensuring that the Office’s strategic plan, goals and objectives are achieved, and specific measures and targets are met, and that the risks faced by the Office are effectively managed;
• engaging with relevant stakeholders and building effective relationships, to enable the development and delivery of the OAG’s strategy and work;
• leading and directing the audit practices of the OAG; 
• developing, implementing, managing and evaluating programs of financial and performance audits, encompassing the Government Ministries, Offices, Portfolios, Statutory Authorities and Government Owned Companies;
• ensuring the OAG’s audit practices comply with international professional standards (ISAs and ISSAIs), and that the policies and methodologies adopted by the Office reflect current professional best practice;
• oversight and direction for the corporate affairs and operations of the Office, and ensuring they are delivered efficiently, effectively and economically, in line with relevant legislation and the principles of good governance; and
• the development of the OAG’s staff, in particular, ensuring that they have skills and capacity to meet the expectations of a professional audit practice.
• The Auditor General is required to prepare the relevant budget documents for submission and approval of Parliament through the PAC. 

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATIONS

The Auditor General will be a seasoned finance professional with experience working in the public sector and across a range of organisations. The Auditor General should have substantial professional knowledge, understanding and experience.  

The Auditor General will have a successful track record at a senior management level, managing complex professional services, with the ability to deal with and resolve complex problems. He/she should have a demonstrated record of strategic leadership, and of working with legislators, CEOs, partners of public accounting firms and top level public servants.

The Auditor General will hold a professional accountancy qualification and have at least 15 years post qualification experience and at least 10 years of audit management experience. This experience should include significant audit experience in the public sector.  

• A qualified member in good standing with an appropriate professional accounting body (CA, ACCA, CPA, CIPFA) with significant post qualification experience or to  have at least five years experience and be working towards a formal qualification  and able to demonstrate commitment to monitored completion.
• At least 10 years audit management experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, specifically the ability to prepare concise and informative reports on a wide range of public finance and management issues, and to present these effectively to key stakeholders.
• High level interpersonal, influencing and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with key stakeholders, in particular the Public Accounts Committee and senior officials. 
• Strategic leadership and staff management skills.

Desirable

• An understanding of the Westminster parliamentary governance framework.
• Public sector financial and performance or value for money audit experience
• Knowledge of International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions.
• Experience of information technology audit.
• Experience of conducting fraud investigations and forensic auditing.