The value and benefits of SAIs and strategic alliances in enhancing accountability

1. The value and benefits of SAIs and strategic alliances in enhancing accountability Mr Terence Nombembe Chair of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions and Auditor-General of South Africa WAAPAC Annual Conference Lomé, Togo 19-23 FEBRUARY 2011

2. Introduction • Institutions have to constantly re-evaluate themselves in terms of their value and benefit to the environment in which they operate • Institutions need to identify how they can collaborate and support each other inimproving accountability • This presentation aims to highlight the value and benefits of SAIs and their strategic alliances in enhancing accountability.

3. Key priorities of INTOSAI • Codifying the independence of SAIs [Mexico Declaration] • Promoting the value and benefits of SAIs, including engagements with civil society [Johannesburg Accords] • Promote implementation of professional standards [South African Declaration] • Close collaboration with the donor community • Capacity building for SAIs • Leveraging SAI networks to find common solutions to common challenges

4. The value and benefits of SAIs • Model independent organisation (lead by example) • Independence of SAIs • Transparency and accountability of SAIs • Service excellence and quality management • Good governance arrangements within the SAIs • SAIs’ ability to be respond to changes in stakeholder expectations • Application of Code of Ethics by SAIs • Learning and knowledge sharing by SAIs • Enhancing the reputation of Supreme Audit Institutions

5. The value and benefits of SAIs • Making a difference in the lives of citizens • Enhancing accountability and transparency • Providing independent insight and guidance • Empowering the public to hold government accountable and • responsive • Enable oversight and executive leadership to discharge their different responsibilities • Following up on audit findings and recommendations

6. Value of SAIs to PACs • Provide insights during PAC strategic planning sessions • Comprehensive briefings on audit outcomes in preparation for public hearings • Attending public hearings as expert witnesses • Briefings to co-ordinated forums of oversight committees, e.g. PACs together with Portfolio Committees • Assist with training

7. The value of civil society engagements • A supportive network for PACs in doing their oversight work • Promotes that SAI audit reports and outcomes of PAC hearings are being made public • Advocates for greater transparency, accountability and governance in the public sector • Brings the parliaments and their issues closer to the people • Supports parliament’ s role of overseeing the executive

8. Building public confidence in South Africa • Focus on simplicity, clarity and relevance of audit reports • All audit reports are made public and considered by PACs and increasingly by Portfolio Committees • audit outcomes are communicated in nation-wide road shows • Quarterly engagements with Executive Authorities on key risks and key controls and follow up on commitments • Engagements with media • APAC/SA SAIMoA • Advocating for stronger collaboration between the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive