“AGO”: Some alternative sites need to undergo audit checks themselves

For those who are not already tired of hearing AHPETC’s run-in with the government for failing to use public funds with transparency and accountability, the AGO has now audited all ministries and statuory boards in its latest report. To better assure the People of Singapore, AGO even went on to audit the Grassroots Organisations (GROs), helmed by volunteers looking to make their communities better homes for all.

These audits carry out both financial statements and selective audits checks – money and processes essentially. The writer admits – to all Singaporeans out there, all these hullabaloo around financial processes and audits are already difficult to fathom, much less follow. What about these volunteers who have to juggle their day jobs, and put out their all for the community?

Will they be able to wrap their fingers around it, in terms of understanding; much less manipulate it for their benefit, as what some keyboard warriors and anything-alternative-is good-websites are alleging? 

Following the spirit of the law

From the audit findings, these volunteers have demonstrated they followed the spirit of the law, just maybe, not the letter. Processes are hard to follow, but these volunteers have demonstrated that their hearts are in the right places.

What were the GROs faulted for

They were faulted for mainly procedural lapses – seeking approval from the wrong approving authority, delay in collecting course fees and data entry errors. But, it seems that the hearts of these volunteers were never in the wrong place – they delayed collecting fees from needy students who had problems paying up. Approval processes were messed up because of urgencies within the community – for example, during the haze period, the vulnerable needed air purifiers urgently – do they really have the luxury of time to wait a month for approval to be sought?

Nonetheless, it is only natural for us to wonder if all this has been rectified.

From the AGO report and how PA has been quick to speak up and deliver its promises, PA has indeed rectified all lapses. Course fees has been collected progressively, data entry errors for social assistance for the vulnerable rectified, right approvals were sought. And most importantly, throughout these, amounts tallied and help went to people who needed it. 

They have even set up a Grassroots Finance Review Committee to look at preventing possible lapses in future.

As for the case of Related Party Transactions – it is evident that the volunteers of the area had their hearts in the right place. The volunteers called for quotations and the Investigation Panel set up by PA has also verified that these were handled by the staff in a confidential manner. Tendering processes were also in accordance with the rules.

The tender was awarded to the lowest bidder, which was 30% lower than the next lowest bid. 

Now, if processes were so easily manipulable, and the volunteer understood them well enough, he would have sought to milk more profits, letting his company’s bid be maybe, only 5% lower. But no, he was oblivious to the fact that his company had put a bid in; and has also voluntarily stepped down to maintain the integrity of the investigations.

Like the Dark Knight (maybe not as handsome lah, sighs I love the Dark Knight), he and his team have done their best for their community – bettering residents’ lives, enriching their lives with programmes, but knowing when it is best to leave this tough job in the good hands of others.

Volunteers do get tired after all. But we thank you, for your all.

Alternative site The Online Citizen insinuates that PA’s accounts are in bad shape.

That is wrong. 

“In the opinion of the auditor, the accounting and other records required by the Act to be kept by PA have been properly kept in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The auditors had given an adverse opinion…for one reason – not including the accounts of its grassroots organisations in the PA’s accounts.”

PA has since however,  taken steps to consolidate all grassroots accounts into PA’ financial statements, and has delivered its promise and commitment, presenting a fully consolidated accounts for FY2013, and forth.

                         

Alternative site The Online Citizen calls for funds to be withheld from PA.

I say no. 

Lots of people benefit from PA’s activities – on this HDB level I am staying on, the neighbour on my left-hand side goes for PA’s tai-chi lessons. She is an old grandma staying alone, who will be isolated from the society if volunteers and neighbours do not reach out to them. She is kept aware of government initiatives like MediShield, CHAS etc through her RC.  Do you reach out to your neighbours?  Or do these volunteers do the work? 

My cousin does sports like basketball and kayaking at the various CCs around the island. The Malay makcik, with her CC members go around delivering food to poor people who needs it more. My mother goes for terrarium and cooking classes at the CC. I go to the polyclinic at a beautiful CC, so do many others.

With these activities and infrastructure, I see where my tax monies are. And I wish for good places like these, government-run, or private spaces, to be kept for the future generation. 

6 benefits of having an audit report

By now, I’m sure we’ve all heard/read about the lapses highlighted in the recently released Auditor-General’s office report.

While the media world is abuzz with these lapses highlighted in the report, found in the listed Ministries and Statutory Boards, let’s take a step back and dive into what the report really is for and how it is ultimately beneficial and a necessary evil (to those audited and whose lapses were flagged).

 

1) Not a forensic audit but gives ‘a general clean bill of health like a general medical examination’

 

The audit approach is generally based on the auditor’s evaluation of the controls that exist in the organisation and test checks on controls and transactions. It is beyond AGO’s remit to identify fraud and often, the findings in the report does not suggest fraud, but mostly procedural lapses.

While there are limitations to test checks, the audit does serve a purpose:

Like a general medical examination which gives a general clean bill of health to the patient, an unqualified audit report would give general assurance that the statements of the organisation reported on is free from material error. [Source]

 

2) Ensures Forces organisations to be transparent

 

In the words of the AGO, his audits are carried out without fear or favour. It ‘forces’ organisations to come clean and introduce rectifications for the lapses that were flagged in AGO’s report, instead of remaining undetected, or even worse, be swept under the carpet.

 

 

In this way, organisations remain accountable for their actions, especially where public monies are involved.

 

3) Ascertain that important information is not omitted

 

Especially where public money is concerned, everything needs to be accounted for. This will prevent any misdemeanours from being carried or surface misdemeanours that have been done.

 

 

It keeps public confidence high and signals that there is zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.

 

4) Ensures that organisations operate in accordance to THEIR OWN prescribed standards and guidelines

 

Irregularities flagged in AGO’s report would highlight the discrepancies or procedural lapses committed by the organisations flagged. The standards and guidelines that these organisations are audited against are set by the organisations themselves, and not by the AGO. 

 

 

In other words, it helps keep the troops in check, ensures that no one toes above the designated line and that the sticks on the ground are kept aligned – to a tee.

 

5) Evaluate internal controls and governance structure in the organisation

 

On the flip side to the point above, perhaps organisations need to take a “beating” from the AGO, before realising that their internal controls and governance structure are not working.

More often than not, guidelines set are well-intentioned but may be old fashioned and does not match the realities on the ground, especially in times of emergency/urgency.

 

6) No stone left unturned – even the tiniest ones

 

The AGO report highlights instances of non-compliance involving relatively small sums of public funds. This is because non-compliance with procedures are signs of weak internal controls – reporting of such observations serve to raise awareness of the need for effective internal controls.

 

 

Small lapses, if regarded as trivial and allowed to perpetuate, would lower the standard of governance in the public sector. They could lead to material errors or be exploited resulting in significant loss of public monies.

While the organisations audited may not particular enjoy being flagged for the lapses committed, these audits help to ensure that the government remains fair, transparent and accountable. It will reinforce to the all organisations, the need to learn from mistakes made, make good and ensure that it does not happen again.





 



6 classic reactions that people have towards the AGO report

Among all the recent traffic stopping news (looking at you, SMRT), the one that caught HSB's interests was the Auditor General's Report (AGO). For those who aren’t sure what AGO is about, what it does is it audits government ministries and statutory boards for public accountability in the use of public funds and resources.  

 

Tl;dr version – Audit check on the Government for compliance of procedural and procurement rules.

HSB found that there are 6 classic reactions that people have towards the report.

 

  1) All out panic mode

 

 

People who react this way tend to not read beyond the report headlines, feeling all doom and gloom just from the title alone.  On the other hand, opportunists will take this chance to pretend to know everything about the AGO based on the headlines.

Maybe they just wanted to create something out of the norm to spice up their work life or something to chat about during the kopi and smoke breaks.

“Did you read the news? Wah the report jia lat sia! This time big case already” sure sounds more exciting than “Eh what you want to drink huh? Kopi or teh?”

 

2) Hulk-like rage

 

“Why so many errors? Must be Government’s fault!”

 

“So much $$$ reported as lost? Must be Government’s fault!”

“Agency X didn’t follow rules? Must be Government’s fault!”

“My slippers broke? Must be Government’s fault!”

Expectedly, there will be endless amount of chatter online about whose head needs to roll (or in our context, hara-kiri). For them everything under the sun is a crime, including the sun itself.

Sure, it’s necessary and right to be angry if these errors are unforgiveable.  But just make sure the truth is not clouded by the endless chattering. Same for your judgement. 

 

 

3) "I told you so"

“Agency XX must have done this (something expensive) for this (something ridiculous). Told you already, it’s written in the stars sia”

 

"Based on my experience ah, confirm there’s something going on between Minster Y and agency Z”

 

Is there something that the average reader is missing out on? Perhaps these people are just clairvoyants who are one step ahead in figuring out everything even before media reported it.

 

Maybe they should also give you advice on what’s coming out for 4D this weekend.
 

 

4) Couldn't be bothered even if it landed on their face

 

They couldn’t care less about what’s happening around them.  As long as it doesn’t concern them directly, they are happy as pie. For some of them, they are probably more worried about the number of likes for their Instagram posts. And lunch of course, but that’s just so they can Instagram it for more virtual likes. 

 

 

5) Blur like sotong

 

"AGO?  Is it a new club or band?”

“AGO – a gogo dance huh?”

“Long Long AGO… Long Long ago (anyone remember this kiddy song)??”

 

This wonderful bunch is so hopelessly clueless that you won’t have the heart (or patience) to let them know. Singapore is so entrenched in acronyms that one more or less wouldn’t really matter to them.

 

Even if they know, they might pretend not to just so they can watch the all-out panic type self-combust in excitement.
 

 

6) Calm and cool

 

Unlike the other groups, this bunch knows that the more information will come from the media and the agencies involved will give proper explanations. All in due time without the unnecessary speculations and drama.

 

They dissect and analyse the report, counter checking against all possible means of obtaining information.  Once they have the facts on hand, they will calmly rationalise and leave you with no room for arguments   have a logical answer for the situation.

Or, they will just show it to you and let you figure it out naturally.

 

 

Pains Of Life

I’ve always thought, should everyone actually know how the banking and finance industries work, maybe they would all revolt.

Also, people would all be penny-pinchers, with financial literacy taking all spontaneity and fun out of life.  Just maybe, a little ignorance is bliss. Could we all just live with guiding principles of prudence, and spending within one’s means? I do just that and I don’t see myself going bust anytime soon!  Else, I can look forward to contributing to HosayBo full-time already ;)

Talking to my accounting professor (I took just one accounting module before it bored the sh*t out of me), this HSB writer came up with a list of why financial procedures are sometimes a pain. How do you feel? Are you an accounting guru, do you believe in financial processes, or do you spend out of your pocket? 

We end up planning according to finances. We aren’t planning finances according to our great big ideas.

Source

Should we have a brilliant idea, it might be dampened by financial procedures and hemmed in by budget allocation.

With our obsession with technology, we probably only train our “push-button finger”

As one man said it, “one machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man” ~ Elbert Hubbard. Technology is invented by great men. Yet, financial systems are bounded by technology, which can fail us. Technology can delay payment and prevent people from making urgent payments.

People need money to feed their families you know? Financial processes, and its friend technology sometimes only let us train our “push-button finger”. We forget our humanity to let people bring the bread home.

Source

Sh*t is already at the doorstep, lah!

Sometimes, we really need our goods and services urgently. If your office is plagued by a rat problem, imagine the holes made in your office furniture by the time you get your finances and purchases approved.  If you work in a hospital, and the haze hits Singapore suddenly, people would have already snatched up all the air purifiers and masks, still leave one for you meh?

Also, financial processes need signatories. By the time signatories come back to office, you are already way too desperate, like below: 

Source

Because I just like to work with you lah!

Imagine if you know a caterer who sells cheap and good food. Imagine if the caterer’s business is just by your office or school.  But because my teacher ask me to get many many quotes, I can’t eat my favourite mee siam already lah! *wails. Worse still, if my school is in Pulau Ubin and no other caterers want to send over the food!

Source

Because financial processes means increased data entry errors

Data inconsistency and lack of data transparency might cause data entry errors. My bane. Need I say more?

Source

4 ways to soak in the Ramadan atmosphere

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, signifying the month of Ramadan is coming to an end soon. We have seen many of our Muslim friends observe fasting by refraining from consuming food, drinking liquids and smoking from sunrise to sunset, to name a few, before breaking their fasts.

However, I’ve come to realise that this special month of Ramadan can be enjoyed and experienced by anyone. Here are 4 simple quick ways our non-Muslim friends can soak in the Ramadan atmosphere!

1.       Give fasting a go – half day or full day, it doesn’t matter!

When in Rome, do as the Romans – well, technically.

I guess to be able to fully comprehend and understand the meaning behind fasting, you’ll have to experience it for yourself. One of the reasons fasting is observed is to understand better the plight of those who have lesser than we do and ultimately, appreciate what we have now – a safe home, enough food and drinks and our health. Most times, we don’t realise that not having food or water for half a day—or longer—is a lived reality for many people around the world. If you can’t last for a day, try to fast from dawn till about lunch:)

 Source: Suria News



Just recently, Khaw Boon Wan and 50 of his non-Muslim grassroots activists experienced a day of fasting in a bid to raise funds for a mosque and also to come together as a community and break their fasts together with Muslim residents. I’m pretty sure nothing ever felt as good as the first gulp of cold water they had the moment they broke their fasts.

While he said that he could only “tahan” for a day, I say “Great try!”

 

2.       Participate in iftar (or the breaking of fast) sessions

Mass iftar, or breaking of fast sessions, are a common sight at your neighbourhood community clubs (CCs) and mosques. Often, the Malay Activity Executive Committees of the various CCs will organise such sessions to encourage residents from various walks of lives to come together with their Muslim neigbours to break fast as one community.

Source

You get to enjoy good food while connecting with your fellow neighbours. As the saying goes, the fondest memories are made when gathered around the table. Win-win, right?

 

3.       Soak in the festive atmosphere at the Geylang Serai and Tampines Hari Raya  Bazaars

Now, it goes without saying that the beginning of the fasting month also marks the opening of the highly anticipated Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar.

And the most awesome thing this year – you get to visit two Hari Raya Bazaars in one month. There’s a Tampines Hari Raya Bazaar right in the heart of the neighbourhood. Tampines residents, rejoice!

Source

I mean, come on, what’s not to like:

-          Bright, festive decorations lights – you can’t be down at the sight of such prettiness, right?

-          Awesome food offerings - Ramly burger? Japanese pizza? Churros? Coconut ice crem? Checked … and so much more

-          Stalls after stalls, streets after streets of everything from home deco to ethnic clothes to anything else you  may need – there’s something for everyone

 

4.       Cleanse spiritually and holistically  

Now I know that “cleansing spiritually and holistically” sounds like something you can experience through a 3-day yoga boot camp. However, during the month of Ramadan, we are also encouraged to refrain from stuffing ourselves silly after a day of fasting or feasting on negative thoughts. Smile at others more, think happy thoughts and feed yourself and your soul better.

Source

 

Be at peace and at ease with yourself. Try it… and thank me later.