THE Auditor-General has raised concerns over weaknesses in the financial management of Fiji’s Wellington Mission, citing poor record-keeping, late reporting, and missing documentation.
According to the 2023 Report on General Administration Sector tabled in Parliament last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Overseas Missions Finance Guideline sets out strict requirements for monthly acquittals, expenditure summaries, revenue records, and bank reconciliations.
However, the audit found several anomalies. These included journal vouchers for revenue totalling $131,225, not provided for verification, missing supporting documents such as revenue collector’s cash analysis sheets and bank lodgement slips for several months, and the absence of the February bank statement.
Receipts worth $18,203 were also missing for multiple months.
“Poor records management and inadequate supervision in the accounts section of the mission are contributing factors to the above findings, hence increasing the risk of misappropriation of funds without being detected,” stated the report.
The Auditor-General recommended that the ministry “improve supervision and proper monitoring of accounting responsibilities”.
“Accounting records are properly maintained and readily available for audit verification.”
In response, the ministry said a dedicated finance officer and a consular officer from headquarters have been deployed to the mission to facilitate all financial and consular work.
“The appointment of the new first secretary is an added action in terms of overseeing the mission’s finances.”