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1.
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What types of reports does AGO produce?
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AGO produces the following reports:
a. Report of the Auditor-General submitted annually to the President and presented to Parliament;
b. Audit opinion on the published financial statements of Government and statutory boards; and
c. Management letters for each audit giving details of audit observations such as internal control weaknesses, operational inefficiencies and non-compliances with rules and regulations. These are sent to the auditees and their supervisory bodies.
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2.
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What legislation governs AGO's duties and responsibilities?
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AGO's duties and responsibilities are governed primarily by the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore and the Audit Act. The laws of most statutory boards allow for their audit by the Auditor-General.
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3.
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Our organisation has an internal audit unit (IAU) which carries out financial and/or value for money audits. Will AGO not be duplicating its work?
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No. There is no duplication of work as the roles of AGO vis-a-vis the IAU are different. IAU is a tool of management and its reports generally stop at management and/or an Audit Committee. The AGO, however, provides an external and independent perspective through its audits and reports to the President and the Parliament.
As part of its audit planning, AGO obtains information on management reviews and internal audits carried out or to be carried out by ministries and statutory boards. This helps AGO to avoid any unnecessary repeat of an audit observation. However, AGO may review specific issues which in its view have not been fully addressed in the internal audit.
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4.
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How is the independence of the Auditor-General preserved?
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To safeguard the independence of the Auditor-General, he is appointed by the President and not by the Government whose accounts are subject to his audit. There are also provisions in the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore to ensure that his remuneration cannot be reduced and to protect him from being removed except based on adjudication by an independent panel. This is to ensure that he is able to audit without fear or favour.
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5.
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When AGO audits a statutory board, why does the statutory board need to pay a fee to AGO?
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AGO charges a fee for auditing statutory boards because this is provided by law and the fee goes into the Government Consolidated Fund. The fee quantum is approved by the Minister for Finance.
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