KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, has underscored the importance of auditors being independent in their functions, as their work affects accountability.

Allen, who was delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 30th Anniversary Conference of the Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (CAROSAI), held yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in New Kingston, said auditors help in the maintenance of good governance.

“Auditors must be independent if they are to give independent recommendations in their reports. An Auditor General’s report is crucial to good governance, transparency and accountability,” he said.

The governor-general said that auditors’ “timely interventions” in the running of States, not only shed light on “apparent digressions,” but also help in directing operations “toward a path of robust fiscal management.”

He told the gathering that individuals should be made to understand the “significant impact” of the work of auditors on national development.

Arguing that corruption can be reduced with individuals adhering to high values, the governor-general said if ethics serve as a code to govern people’s actions “they will do the right things.”

He also charged Government auditors to be “more proactive” in advising public entities on investments in information technology to improve service delivery.

The conference will be held from August 15 to 16, under the theme: ‘Building the Future on the Foundation of the Past’.

Participants are from international donor agencies, professional organisations, regional groups, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East.