Auditor-General to audit AHPETC’s FY2012/13 accounts

SINGAPORE — The Auditor-General will be conducting an audit of the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council’s (AHPETC) FY2012/13 accounts, after the town council’s independent auditor raised 13 issues of concern over its accounts last week.

“As stewards of public funds, all town councils must keep proper accounts and records, and ensure adequate control over their assets. The observations in the Auditor’s Report raise serious questions about the reliability and accuracy of AHPETC’s financial and accounting systems,” said the Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a joint statement today (Feb 19).

AHPETC chairman Sylvia Lim said the town council welcomes the Government’s decision. “We assure the Auditor-General’s Office of our full co-operation in this matter,” she said in a statement.

The audit was directed by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (letter to the Auditor-General here), at the request of National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan (Mr Khaw's letter to Mr Shanmugaratnam here.)

“The Auditor has raised several more issues of pressing concern this year, compared to last year,” said the ministries. “AHPETC’s Auditor’s Report and Financial Statements are cause for serious concern.”

This was the second year in which AHPETC’s auditors, Foo Kon Tan Grant Thornton, submitted a disclaimer of opinion on the town council’s accounts. The auditor had also issued a qualified opinion on AHPETC’s other legal and regulatory requirements, saying that AHPETC has not complied with the rules of the Town Councils Act and Financial Rules.