Auditors neglecting role of watchdog

Source: © Andriy Popov 123rf

These were the words of the Inspector of Intelligence, Dr Setlhomamaru Dintwe in his address at the Southern Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) virtual conference, currently under way in Centurion, north of Johannesburg.

Role of watchdog

For him government auditors or internal auditors, in general, should be able to assist the management in organisational performance.

This is the reason why auditors make recommendations or their site is at the end of the report, whether it’s an unfairness or whether it’s a positive and so forth.

But this role is consistent with the second part of notice petition which postulate that at the end internal audits provide a mechanism for monitoring the implemented implementing benefit for the long term.

“So, if you take a deep look at this role, you will see the synergy between the beginning, the end, the watchdog as well as providing assistance to management in this role.

“The role of auditors is not contested in the judiciary, except for the contention that most auditors seem to be neglecting other roles such as that of being a watchdog,” he says.

Role of professional bodies

Dintwe also emphasised the role of professional bodies.

However he says that the role of professional bodies is that if there is an in-balance or if auditors government voters tend to neglect their watchdog role.

“This could be because they want to be loved and appreciated by the management but there could actually be the transgression of the codes or some kind of code, whether it’s a code of conduct or a code of discipline of the professional body.

Then they come to the association because these professional bodies are expected to develop standards of auditing code of conduct or incident rules and are also expected to deal with discipline in the profession as well as development of monitoring arrangements,” he states.

SAIGA vision 2023

Addressing the conference, SAIGA chief executive officer, Russel Morena says her main objective is to provide a platform for accounting and audit professionals to engage on various topics which are impacting the industry.

“The conference is part of the SAIGA vision 2023 strategy. Part of the focus will be on strengthening capacity building in the public sector.

“There is also a need to expand the SAIGA footprint in the African continent and globally.”

The event also brings together professionals from outside the auditing and accounting industry.

Scholastica Sylvan Kimaryo, a global thought leader in the International Development and Governance, Conscious Leadership & Healthy Lifestyles is one of the key speakers of the conference.

The conference will also feature amongst others the Tax Ombudsman of South Africa, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, Sizwe Nxasana, former CEO of Telkom Group and FirstRand Group, chairman of NSFAS and founder of Sifiso Learning Group.