Clean audit for finance department

MBOMBELA – The Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) has given Mpumalanga’s Department of Finance a clean audit opinion on its performance for the 2012/13 financial year.

The MEC for Finance, Mr Madala Masuku said this achievement provides the Department of Finance with an opportunity to confidently take along other Provincial Departments to the envisaged financial governance target that was set by the administration.

“We have a lot to be proud of as the administration. Many of our departments are turning the situation around with regard to the audit outcomes.

“The Department has attained the clean audit. The Provincial Revenue Fund has also consistently received clean audit opinion from the Auditor General which confirms the strength of the overall financial administration of the Province,” said Masuku.

This is the fourth consecutive clean audit, in four years for the department.

The Auditor General gives a clean audit opinion when information on predetermined objectives and financial statements of a department or public entity are fairly presented in all material aspects; show compliance with relevant legislation and regulations and there is adequate disclosure of all material matters relevant to the statements.

Masuku said the Department aims to strive for excellence in all areas of operations.

He said this will include enhancing the processes of preparing people centred and service delivery-inclined Provincial budget, improving supply chain management systems and ensure outcome–oriented support services to enable effective financial governance in Mpumalanga Province.

Sharing the same sentiments, Head of the Department, Ms Nombedesho Nkamba said the period under review was characterized by successes in various other performances areas which include percentage increase of representation of People with Disabilities in the Department.

Nkamba said the department has also identified a need to strengthen the control systems with a view to reign on possible incidents of fraud in the Province.

“The Department continues to facilitate capacity building initiatives targeting officials from all Departments and Public Entities to improve management and compliance on various financial legislations and regulations and budgeting and accounting for financial resources,” said Nkamba.