Accounting Services to Be Implemented as Part of Next Budget Discussions

The Saint Helena Government has agreed to implement new accounting services as part of its next round of budget discussions. According to documents obtained by our newspaper, the decision was made in response to a series of recommendations aimed at improving financial management and accountability.

New Accounting Services

Recommendation 2 calls for the development of procedures for the administration and management of service commissioning, subsidies, and grants. This will ensure that these processes are proportionate to the assessed risk and defined quantitative thresholds.

• The Head of Accounting Services has agreed to implement this recommendation as part of the next round of budget discussions.
• Other recommendations include ensuring that the objectives defined in the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) align with respective laws and ordinances set by the Legislative Council.

Policy Framework

Recommendation 4 calls for a policy framework that outlines criteria for awarding subsidies. The framework should be supported by management procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.

• Recommendation 5 suggests that larger grants and subsidies include specific details such as objective definitions, treatment of profits or surpluses, key performance indicators, mid-year assessments, and close-out reports.
• The policy framework should also outline the criteria for awarding subsidies and be supported by management procedures.

Data Quality Policy

The Saint Helena Government’s Corporate Services department is required to develop a data quality policy and apply it to the performance management framework. This will ensure that information collected from departments and reported by SHG is verified as complete, accurate, and valid.

• Internal Audit will provide assurance on annual and mid-term performance reports, ensuring that reported performance is reliable and controls in the system are adequate and effective.
• The data quality policy should also cover the verification of information to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Corporate Governance

Recommendation 1 calls for legislation to be amended to ensure that all Service Commission Entities’ (SCEs) audited Annual Financial Statements, Management Letters, and accompanying reports are laid before the Legislative Council. This will enable scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

• Recommendation 2 suggests amending legislation or terms of reference to enable Council Committees to exercise oversight over service delivery performance of SCEs.
• Recommendation 3 calls for SHG to develop and implement legislation enabling the establishment of regulatory authorities in service sectors where it has an interest through its SCE.

Future Plans

The Attorney General has agreed to consider these recommendations and will prioritize them in line with other priorities of the Legislative Council. The implementation of these recommendations is expected to improve financial management and accountability within the Saint Helena Government.

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