Fiji’s Wellington Mission Under Audit as Reforms Take Shape

Auditor-General flags weaknesses in Fiji’s Wellington Mission finances; ministry pledges reforms

The Auditor-General has raised concerns about weak financial management at Fiji’s Wellington Mission, citing poor record-keeping, late reporting, and missing documentation. The 2023 Report on General Administration Sector, tabled in Parliament, notes that strict monthly acquittals, expenditure summaries, revenue records, and bank reconciliations are required by the Overseas Missions Finance Guideline, but several anomalies were found.

Key findings included journal vouchers for revenue totaling 131,225 dollars that could not be verified, missing supporting documents such as revenue collector cash analysis sheets and bank lodgement slips for multiple months, and the February bank statement was not available. Receipts totaling 18,203 dollars were also missing in several months. The report warned that poor records management and inadequate supervision in the mission’s accounts increase the risk of misappropriation of funds going undetected.

The Auditor-General recommended stronger supervision and monitoring of accounting responsibilities to ensure that accounting records are properly maintained and readily available for audit verification.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has deployed a dedicated finance officer and a consular officer from headquarters to the Wellington Mission to oversee financial and consular operations. The appointment of a new first secretary was also announced as an added measure to oversee the mission’s finances.

Context and outlook
This audit outcome aligns with broader scrutiny of Fiji’s public sector finances. Recent reviews have highlighted a pattern of financial management challenges across several ministries and state bodies, prompting calls for stronger internal controls, better documentation, and more robust oversight. In Fiji, reforms are already underway, including enhanced training for finance officers, task forces to clear backlogs, and closer cooperation between agencies to address audit discrepancies and reduce risk levels.

While the findings at the Wellington Mission underscore ongoing weaknesses, the steps taken by the ministry—deploying dedicated financial staff and elevating financial oversight—signal a commitment to improving governance and accountability. If these reforms are sustained, they could help restore public trust and ensure that overseas missions operate with stronger financial integrity.

What to watch
– Implementation of improved supervision and monitoring of accounting duties at the Wellington Mission and other overseas posts.
– Timely submission and verification of monthly financial reports and accompanying documentation.
– Ongoing reforms across Fiji’s public sector aimed at strengthening internal controls and closing documentation gaps.

Summary
The Wellington Mission case adds to a broader pattern of financial accountability reforms across Fiji’s public institutions. With targeted staffing, clearer oversight, and continued reform efforts, there is cautious optimism for improved financial management and greater transparency in public service operations.