One Cost Centre to One Auditor Gazzetted non Gazetted Seats –AG 16.08.2019
In a directive issued by the Office of the Accountant General Punjab, it has been noted that across various District Accounts Offices in Punjab, there exists a practice where employees handle Gazetted, Non-Gazetted, and contingency claims separately. This has led to inefficiencies, particularly where multiple auditors are assigned to the same cost center within a department. Such fragmentation complicates the processing of claims and exposes the system to financial risks due to overlapping authorizations in the SAP system.
To address these challenges and streamline operations, the competent authority has decided to implement a significant change. Moving forward, each cost center will be assigned to a single auditor, streamlining responsibilities and reducing administrative overlaps. This strategic decision aims to enhance efficiency, minimize errors, and strengthen accountability within the departmental financial processes.
Understanding the Directive:
The directive emphasizes the consolidation of responsibilities to ensure that each auditor focuses exclusively on one cost center. This shift is expected to:
- Enhance Efficiency: By assigning dedicated auditors to specific cost centers, the process of handling Gazetted and Non-Gazetted claims will become more streamlined, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and processing times.
- Minimize Errors: Consolidating responsibilities reduces the likelihood of errors that can occur when multiple auditors handle the same financial transactions. This promotes accuracy and reliability in financial reporting.
- Strengthen Accountability: With clear assignments, accountability for financial oversight and authorization becomes more defined. This measure helps in fixing responsibilities and ensures transparency in financial operations.
Implementation Timeline:
The transition to the new system will be rolled out in phases across Punjab’s District Accounts Offices. Initially, specific offices including Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Layyah, and Attock have been instructed to complete the restructuring by 31st August 2019. This phased approach allows for a gradual adaptation before extending the new operational framework statewide by 31st December 2019.
Implications for District Accounts Offices:
District Accounts Officers are urged to promptly comply with the directive and initiate the necessary changes within the designated timeline. This includes:
- Immediate Implementation: Offices identified for initial implementation must complete the transition and inform the Accountant General’s office accordingly.
- Province-Wide Adoption: By the end of the transition period, all District Accounts Offices in Punjab will adopt the one cost centre to one auditor model, ensuring uniformity and efficiency across the board.
Conclusion:
The decision to streamline operations by assigning one cost center to one auditor marks a pivotal step towards improving financial management practices within the Punjab government’s accounting framework. By consolidating responsibilities and enhancing accountability, this initiative not only aims to optimize resource utilization but also to bolster the overall effectiveness of financial controls and reporting.
This directive, issued with the approval of the Accountant General, underscores the commitment to modernize and optimize financial governance practices across Punjab’s administrative landscape.
For further information and updates on this directive, concerned parties are advised to stay connected with the Office of the Accountant General Punjab.
