Bandar Seri Begawan - The Audit Department held a one-day roadshow on the Financial Management Audit Based on Accountability Index (FMAI) for all government ministries and departments at the multipurpose hall of the Brunei High Court and Syariah Courts Building, State Judiciary Department yesterday.

Present to officiate the roadshow as the guest of honour was the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong.

The road show was held to facilitate understanding on the concept of financial management audit based on accountability index to all government ministries and departments which will commence from April 2013.

The deputy minister in his speech pointed out that the Audit Department's, initiative on FMAI is in line with the aspiration of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam towards realising the "Brunei Vision 2035" and the objective of the 10th National Development Plan (20122017).

He added that the FMAI will also enhance financial management accountability amongst controlling officers in government ministries and departments.

In his concluding remarks, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali expressed his hope that all government ministries and departments will take the necessary measures to improve the financial management of the respective government ministries and departments.

Meanwhile, the Auditor General of Audit Department, Pengiran Haji Abd Rahman bin Pengiran Haji Mat Salleh, in his briefing explained that the FMAI will look at six control elements which are the organisation's management, budgetary, revenue, expenditure, deposits and management of assets.

The financial management performance of government ministries and departments will be evaluated based on level of compliance of the six control elements to relevant financial regulations, government circulars and best practices.

In this regard, he pointed out that the FMAI will enhance the financial management and accountability in government ministries and departments through the strengthening of financial internal controls. At the same time, this will instil a compliance culture to government regulations and procedures as well as to adopt best practices.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin