Uncategorized

September 6, 2023

Majuro, Marshall Islands: The Republic of the Marshall Islands’ Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) was pleased and honored to host the 34^th annual conference and workshop of the Association of Pacific Islands Public Auditors (APIPA) during the week of August 28 to September 1, 2023 in Majuro, the capitol of the RMI. Over 400 participants attended the week-long conference and workshop. This was the first in-person APIPA conference since the global pandemic hit us and APIPA resorted to virtual training in the last three years. The theme for the APIPA conference was “Shining a Light on Public Accountability”. One of the founding principles of APIPA is to promote the use of public resources and strengthen the auditing and accounting profession across its member jurisdictions. Since its inception, APIPA has offered professional and capacity development trainings to its members. A total of 2,190 course certificates were awarded to 406 participants, reflecting 13,804 continuing professional education units during the 2023 APIPA conference.

The training courses this year were designed to respond to emerging issues and trends across accounting, finance, management, and auditing sectors across APIPA jurisdictions. The audit tracks were held at the Marshall Islands Resort while the finance management and leadership courses were at the International Convention Center throughout the week. The APIPA Principals (Executive Body) also held its annual meeting during the week.

The 34^th APIPA conference also included several planned after-hour activities which included a Night Market which was coordinated with the RMI Office of Commerce, Investment, and Tourism where locals showcased their beautiful handicrafts, and tasty local food, along with great music and entertainment for our visiting participants.

“The OAG was honored to be the host of the recently concluded 34^th annual workshop and conference of APIPA here in Majuro. The annual workshop is a training opportunity for auditors and accountants to improve their skills relevant to their roles, and enable them to perform to their full potential. What is good for the development of our staff is also good for our organizational performance, productivity, and quality. I am positive that the participants at the 34^th annual APIPA conference found great value in their time here in Majuro, and will return to contribute more to their respective organizations” Auditor-General and Chairman of the 2023 APIPA, Mr. Junior Patrick said.

APIPA would like to extend its most sincere appreciation to the RMI Government, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Graduate School USA for their continued support of APIPA and our annual conference.

For more APIPA 2023 photos, please click the following link.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pitiviti/sets/72177720311024828/

—–END—–

Media Contact:

Leban Joash – IT Manager & Communication Officer

Email: joashlebon@gmail.com | Phone: 692 625 3390

Website: www.rmioag.com

June 21, 2023

Majuro, Marshall Islands: The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) proudly announces that it received a rating of pass for its recent Peer Review from a team of auditors from the Association of Pacific Islands Public Auditors (APIPA) in accordance with the Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. The Government Auditing Standards require all audit organizations that perform audits and attestation engagements following the Government Auditing Standards to undergo an external quality control review (or peer review) performed by reviewers independent of the audit organization being reviewed at least once every three years[1]. An audit organization can receive a rating of pass, pass with deficiencies, or fail. The OAG received a rating of pass. The Auditor-General Junior Patrick congratulates his staff on this achievement and recognizes the staff for their hard work and commitment to following all required auditing standards. The OAG’s Peer Review was conducted by Mr. Satrunino Tewid, Public Auditor of the Republic of Palau (Team Leader), Ms. Elizabeth M. Jonah, Auditor II of Kosrae State Office of the Public Auditor Office (Team Member), and Mr. Reggie Jay Mabel Junior Auditor II of Palau Office of the Public Auditor (Team Member). The objective of the review was to determine whether, during the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020, the OAG’s internal quality control system was suitably designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance of compliance with those auditing standards. The onsite portion of the review took place from June 12 – 16, 2023. Based on its review, the Peer Review Team concluded that “OAG’s internal quality control system was adequately designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance of compliance with the Government Auditing Standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements for performance and financial audits during the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020”. In addition, the Peer Review Team also offered certain (verbal) suggestions to further strengthen OAG’s internal quality control system. We have accepted the Peer Review Team’s suggestions to further strengthen OAG’s quality control system. A copy of our Peer Review report may be viewed/retrieved at the OAG website at https://www.rmioag.com/peer-review-reports/.

---

[1] Due to impacts of Covid-19 and restrictions on travels, APIPA had suspended its peer reviews earlier and requested time extension for its members to complete their required peer reviews. GAO granted APIPA extension to complete its peer reviews.

—–END—–

Leban Joash – IT Manager / Communication Officer

Email: joashlebon@gmail.com | Phone: 692 625 3390

Website: www.rmioag.com

Majuro, Marshall Islands, April 27^th, 2023: The OAG is pleased to announce the capacity-building training and support it received from the European Union (EU) in the area of fraud detection and prevention by placing a Fraud Adviser and Expert to assist. The support received aims to strengthen the capability of OAG’s fraud prevention and detection funtion to conduct effective special reviews into alleged fraudulent activities across all governmental institutions.

The Fraud Adviser and Expert, Mr. Marc Alix, arrived in November 2022 to provide one-to-one hands-on training to OAG investigators. The training includes formal classroom instructions, reviewing and implementing international best practice investigations technical standards, reviewing existing complaint-handling operations, and improving other investigations-specific policies and procedures as necessary.  He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, CAMS; Certified Fraud Examiner, CFE; Certified Forensic Financial Analyst, MAFF/CFFA; International Association for Financial Crimes, Financial Crimes Investigator; International Asset Recovery Specialist; Criminal Intelligence Analyst; Former Bank Examiner of The New York Branch of The USA Federal Reserve Board of Governors. In addition, Mr. Alix has over 31 years of experience in regulatory compliance related to anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, fraud, corruption, ethics, sanctions, forensic investigations, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and information technology operations, among other financial crimes-related experience and accomplishments. He is stationed at the OAG for a period of 8-9 months, possibly longer, to continue to provide support to our investigators.

The OAG would like to thank the EU for the technical assistance and support, which is funded through the Budget Support towards RMI’s Public Financial Management (PRF) reforms.

—–END—–

Media Contact:

Leban Joash – IT Manager & Communication Officer

Email: joashlebon@gmail.com | Phone: 692 625 3390

Website: www.rmioag.com

December 19, 2022

Majuro, MH., On December 12th thru 14th, 2022, the Auditor-General and staff of the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) participated in a training in the area of Performance Auditing and Writing Audit Report by Objectives at the OAG’s complex in Majuro. The three-day course was sponsored by Graduate School USA with funding support from the United States Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs. The training was desgined for public audit professionals who are actively conducting and delivering performance audit results and new auditors who have just started their performance auditing career. The training was also attended by OAG’s financial auditors, investigators, and other support staff.

The training was delivered by Mr. Drummond Kahn who serves on the faculty of the Graduate School USA and who is also a past national President of the Association of Local Government Audits (ALGA). Mr. Kahn previously served in federal, state, and local government auditing positions, including Chief of Internal Audit Services for the Oregon Department of Transportation, Director of Audit Services for the City of Portland, State Audit Administrator for the Oregon Audits Division, and in the U.S. Government Accountability Office. He was named one of the 15 most Influential Professionals in Government Auditing by the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Center for Government Auditing, among distinguished awards to his name.

By attending the three-day training, the participants earned a total of 24 continuing professional education (CPE) and thus meeting the requirements of the Government Auditing Standards (more commonly referred to as the Yellowbook), issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. The standards require auditors to receive a total of 80 CPE hours every two years, of which, 24 CPE hours must be related to government auditing, the government environment, or specific environments in which the audited entity operates. The 24 CPE hours received from this training are directly related to government auditing.

The OAG would like to acknowledge the Graduate School USA for the training opportunity and the U.S. Department of the Interior for the funding support.

Media Contact

Leban Joash – I.T Manager & Communications Officer

Email: joashlebon@gmail.com | Phone: 692 625-3390

Website: www.rmioag.com

###

December 1, 2022

Majuro, MH., On Thursday November 24, 2022, the Auditor-General, Mr. Junior Patrick, attended the 32nd Governing Body meeting of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) in Auckland, New Zealand. Mr. Patrick attended the PASAI Governing Board meeting in the capacity as the current Micronesia Representative.

PASAI is the official association of supreme audit institutions (government audit offices and similar organizations, known as SAIs) in the Pacific region. PASAI promotes transparent, accountable, effective, and efficient use of public sector resources in the Pacific. It contributes to that goal by helping its member SAIs improve the quality of public sector auditing in the Pacific to uniformly high standards. The Governing Board sets PASAI’s direction and oversees the activities of its Secretariat. The Government Board is responsible for formulating strategies and policies for the organization. The Board also approves the 3-year workplan and budget and the rules for the conduct of PASAI activities.

During the meeting, the Board received updates from PASAI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Esther Lomeko-Poutoa and her staff at the Secretariat on its activities during the first four months of 2022-2023 financial year. The Members also reviewed and endorsed certain revisions to PASAI’s policies and also commenced work on developing PASAI’s next Strategic Plan.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Sairusi Dukuno, the Acting Auditor-General of Fiji and Chair of the PASAI Governing Board and was joined online by Mr. John Ryan, PASAI Secretary-General and Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand.

The OAG would like to thank the PASAI Members and Secretariat for their work in the region.

Media Contact

Leban Joash

I.T Manager & Communication Officer

Email: joashlebon@gmail.com | Phone: 692 625 3390

Website: www.rmioag.com

###

November 14, 2022

Majuro, MH., On Friday, November 11, 2022, the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) held a dedication and blessing ceremony for its newly constructed/renovated Office complex in Delap Village, Majuro. Among those attending the dedication ceremony were H.E. David Kabua and First Lady Ginger Kabua and Honorable Kenneth A. Kedi, Speaker of the Nitijela (Parliament), several members of the Presidential Cabinet and the Nitijela. Both President Kabua and Speaker Kedi delivered remarks and congratulated the Auditor-General and staff for the completion of the newly renovated/expanded OAG complex.

Irooj Yoland Jurelang delivered the welcoming remarks on behalf of Lerooj Esther Zedkaia and the landowners of Lokejbar weto (land parcel) where the Office complex is located. Irooj Yoland also congratulated OAG for the completion of its newly constructed Office complex. In his remarks, Mr. Junior Patrick, Auditor-General, thanked the RMI Government for the funding assistance that have made the OAG complex expansion and renovation project possible. Mr. Patrick also congratulated all OAG staff on the completion of the Office complex and challenged his staff to do better in performing the various responsibilities of the Office he leads. Mr. Patrick remarked, “we can have the best facility but what matters most is what comes out of this building”. This proceeding was followed by live music entertainment, refreshments and open-house tour for audience interested.

On behalf of the Auditor-General, we would like to thank everyone for coming to this dedication ceremony. Special thanks and recognition to Rev. Tim Mea (represented by Rev. Lami Paul) of the Uliga United Church of Christ, Lerooj Esther Zedkaia and landowners of Lokejbar Weto, H.E. President Kabua, and Hon. Speaker Kenneth A. Kedi for their kind & wonderful remarks.

Media Contact:

Leban Joash – I.T Manager & Communication Officer

Email: joashlebon@gmail.com | Phone: 692 625 3390

Website: www.rmioag.com

###

June 17th, 2022

The Strategic Plan outlines our priorities and 4 desired outcomes, and how we plan to achieve them. We will regularly monitor and evaluate the success of this plan. It is our hope that we will receive support and resources we need to successfully implement this plan.

• 

• 

• 

Media Contact

Leban Joash

I.T Manager & Communication Officer

Email: joashlebon@gmail.com | Phone: (692) 625 3390

Website: www.rmioag.com

###

We are sad to bid our farewell to a longtime auditor and friend, Mrs. Karen T. Joklur, who retired after 34 plus years with the OAG. Karen was one of our longest serving and well trained auditors. During her tenure with the OAG, Karen contributed toward many of our audit and investigation products, trained young auditors, and gave her best to the job.

We thank Karen for her contributions and many years in public service and wish her well in her retirement. You will be missed around here. Please keep in touch.

OAG Farewell/Appreciation Dinner with Mrs. Karen T. Joklur

Media Contact

Leban Joash

IT Manager & Communication Officer / (692) 625-3390 / www.rmioag.com

###

Majuro, MH, May 20th, 2021 — The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) proudly announces that its Audit of the Passport Program won a 2020 Distinguished Knighton Award from the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) for best performance audit in the Small Shop Category. Each year, local government audit organizations from the U.S. and Canada submit their best performance audit reports for judging. The purpose of the competition is to improve government services by encouraging and increasing levels of excellence among government auditors. Judges from peer organizations determined that this audit was among the best of 2020. The Award was presented virtually during ALGA’s Annual Conference on May 4, 2021.

The Audit of the Passport Program was judged on several key elements, such as the potential for significant impact, the persuasiveness of the conclusions, the focus on improving government efficiency and effectiveness, and its clarity and conciseness.

OAG congratulates its staffs on the achievement of this prestigious award and shares this award with former auditors who made contributions to our report.

Media Contact

Mr. Jean Digno, Communication/IT Director
Email: digno.jean@gmail.com
Phone: (692) 625-3390/3192

###

Majuro, MH, April 7th, 2021 — The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) to participate as one of the panelist during an Imprest Funds and Induction training for new diplomats who will be posted at various RMI Oversees Missions and Embassies. Also participated during the Induction Program were Mr. Patrick Langrine, Secretary of Finance, and staff who delivered training on the Imprest Fund Guidelines and Operating procedures that all Overseas Missions are expected to follow.

The OAG shared with the participants the common problems found in the audit of RMI Missions abroad in the past. In his remarks, the Auditor General reminded the new diplomats that as public servants and stewards of public resources we have an obligation to make sure public resources are used for their intended purpose and in accordance with all applicable government policies and procedures.

 

 

 

Media Contact

Jean Digno

IT Manager & Communication Officer/ (692) 625-3390/ www.rmioag.com

###