SAI St. Lucia embarked on a project for upgrading its audit manuals. The existing audit manuals which provided the organization with a set of procedures and policies had last been upgraded in 1999. After completing the SAI PMF in June 2021, the Office recognized the need for updated audit manuals which were aligned with International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs).
With the financial and technical support from the World Bank, Instituto Protege (SAI Brazil's corporate organization) was contracted to enhance audit methodologies within the SAI and produce ISSAI compliant audit manuals which were specifically tailored to maximize the resources of the SAI. Further, as part of continued collaboration within the CAROSAI region SAI Grenada was included in the project to also provide technical assistance in upgrading their audit methodologies and produce ISSAI compliant audit manuals that were fit for purpose.
The development of manuals for performance, financial, and compliance audits marks a significant step forward for the SAIs in not only improving audit practices but also strengthening the capacity of the SAIs to adapt to evolving accountability standards and requirements.
The new methodology was formally presented during a two-day workshop held in Castries, St. Lucia on Monday 6th May to Tuesday 7th May 2024. The sessions were attended by all staff of SAI Saint Lucia as well as four members of SAI Grenada including Acting Director of Audit Mr. Gary Walters, the World Bank representative, Senior Procurement Specialist, Luciano Wuerzius, who is the coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean team for procurement.
The workshop was conducted by the team from Instituto Protege Dr. Sebastião Helvecio Ramos de Castro, Mrs. Renata Ramos de Castro, Mr. Marcelo Barros Gomes and Mr. Wendel Régis Ramos.
The Workshop officially commenced with welcome remarks from the Director of Audit of SAI St. Lucia Ms. Yvonne James. Dr. Helvecio presented the first session on “Boundaries and Trends of External Control in the International Scenario” followed by Mestre Renata’s presentation on “A Leap Towards the Development and Modernization of SAI Saint Lucia and Grenada” which encompassed the project overview i.e. diagnosis, methodological guidelines and the Audit Manual. To truly understand the context, participants were educated with an in-depth history of accountability commencing with the establishment of the first Court of Auditors and were encouraged to preserve their arsenal of tools and to understand the changing times.
The subsequent part of the workshop entailed an investigation into the performance, financial and compliance audits, with a focus on contracts with the World Bank. These sessions proved very practical and incorporated group discussions, case analysis, audit simulations problem-solving exercises and group presentations.
The Brazilian team will also provide remote consultancy with the two SAI’s during the implementation of the new methodologies.
In closing, the facilitators took turns to express their gratitude for the SAIs’ cooperation during the two-day workshop and opportunity to assist the SAIs in improving the audit methodology. Both Directors in turn articulated their gratitude to the Insituto Protégé for the work presented and assured that these methodologies will be implemented.
