By Grace Q. Bryant
Representative Robert Womba of District 4, Bong County is calling on the plenary to set up an independent audit committee to conduct a comprehensive payroll audit of all employees of the Central Administration of the House of Representatives.
Rep. Womba’s communication was read in an open session on Tuesday, February 19, during the 12th day sitting of the 1st quarter of the 1st session of the House of Representatives.
According to Rep. Womba, “My communication is premised on the growing concern about employees at the Central Administration working in the employ of the House of Representatives.
“It has consistently been reported that there are more employees on the Central Administration payroll, contrary to the actual number of employees doing active work,” he explained.
He maintained that a payroll audit is a thorough review of an entity’s payroll processes and records to ensure accuracy, compliance with laws and regulations, and adherence to company or entity policies.
He added that it is intended to identify and rectify any errors, inefficiencies, or discrepancies in payroll processing, verifying the accuracy of payroll calculations, including wages, deductions, and benefits, to prevent overpayments or underpayments.
“I want to inform you on the requirements for Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, which say an auditor must have adequate technical training and proficiency to perform the audit; maintain independence in mental attitude in all matters relating to the audit, and must exercise due professional care in the performance of the audit and the preparation of the report,” he added.
He also urged the plenary to put in all best practices which will create an environment in which the specialized or investigative body is free from any influence, inducement, interest, or relationship that might impair professional judgment or the objectivity of the audit performed.
“In view of the aforementioned, I write craving your indulgence, Speaker and Colleagues, to hire an independent auditor like the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) or the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct an independent and comprehensive payroll audit of all employees of Central Administration of the Honorable House of Representatives, so as to determine the number of employees both active and inactive,” he stressed.
Rep. Womba said, “It is my ardent hope that plenary sees the need and hires trained and professional independent auditor(s) to carry out the proposed audit in order to rectify any errors, inefficiencies, or discrepancies in payroll processing,” he noted.
