Auditor General tables latest report which includes 95 recommendations, about 1/3 are from prior years

Hanrahan says this report highlights overpayments for teachers to about $2 million on slightly more than 1000 cases ranging from pennies to $40,000. 

NL Auditor General Denise Hanrahan has tabled a report on the province’s 2024 Financial Statements to the House of Assembly. It contains her audit opinion of the Consolidated Summary Financial Statements, and outlines observations and opportunities for improvement across the public sector, which were identified last year. Hanrahan says “This year’s report highlights 95 points, of which approximately 30 per cent remain unresolved from prior years.”

Hanrahan says issues outstanding  from 2023, are under the topics of quality of information, tangible capital assets, and bank reconciliation which are core controls done with financial information. She says these recommendations need to be tackled. Work done in 2024, has found continuing issues with IT control and NL Health Services issues with approval and calculations. 

The report also highlights a conflict of interest with chicken farmers and the French school  board remains unaudited. The province processes payroll for 17,000 people and half of those are  civil service and the other are teachers. Hanrahan says this report highlights overpayments for teachers to about $2 million on slightly more than 1000 cases ranging from pennies to $40,000. 

Meanwhile, Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Siobhan Coady says government “appreciates the recommendations of the Auditor General and her team as they deliver upon a plan for financial improvement. “ She says “We are all working together on a stronger, smarter, self-sufficient, sustainable province.”