Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666
Press Release From Independent Source

Phil Sharman appointed as next Auditor General

May 18th, 2017 | Tags:
Mr Phil Sharman holds in-depth knowledge of United Kingdom Overseas Territories, having served as Chief Auditor in both St Helena and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Mr. Phil Sharman has been appointed as the next Auditor General of the [British] Virgin Islands.

The appointment was made by His Excellency the Governor, Mr John S. Duncan, OBE, under section 92(1) and 92(4) of the Virgin Islands Constitution, and acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission and after consultation with the Premier of the Virgin Islands, respectively. The appointment will take effect in August 2017.

The Auditor General administers and manages the process of monitoring the financial activities of Government departments and statutory bodies to ensure accountability of public funds and compliance with financial regulations and budgetary constraints.

In this capacity, Mr Sharman will audit the Government accounts produced by the Treasury Department and inquire into and audit the financial records of Government departments and ministries, plus statutory boards and trusts, to evaluate compliance with financial legislation and regulations. The Auditor General also serves as an advisory member of the Public Accounts Committee. He will function as the Accounting Officer for the Office of the Auditor General and will develop and implement strategic plans for its use.

The Auditor General will audit and report annually on the accounts of the House of Assembly and all Government departments and offices, including the Public Service Commission, the teaching Service Commission and the Police Service Commission.

Other responsibilities will include providing assistance to accounting officers in departments on their accounting and control systems to improve processes across Government.

Mr Sharman is currently the statutory Chief Auditor for St Helena responsible for promoting public accountability, advising the Public Accounts Committee, and providing assurance to stakeholders on the use of taxpayer funds through the audit of the financial statements of Government and other public bodies in St Helena.

He is a Chartered Public Finance Accountant with professional membership in both the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand. He has extensive experience as a statutory external auditor having previously held director level roles with the Audit Commission and Audit New Zealand with reporting responsibilities across all major sectors including central government and state owned enterprises, local government, health and education.

Mr Sharman fills the post of Auditor General which was vacant since the retirement of the former incumbent in September 2015. The vacancy was followed by comprehensive recruitment rounds on three separate occasions to identify the best suited candidate.

Mr Sharman holds in-depth knowledge of United Kingdom Overseas Territories, having served as Chief Auditor in both St Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

19 Responses to “Phil Sharman appointed as next Auditor General”

  • Jack B. (18/05/2017, 21:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hmmm. We have ourselves to blame. We messsed up..Our people failed us... Sad..
    • wize up (19/05/2017, 08:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Jack B. : point well taken(all over money) I see H.M.P in someone's future!!!!!
  • pat (18/05/2017, 22:31) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is excellent. If nothing is wrong, then this will clear up any confusion. If there is a problem, then we can find out where the money went and what happened with the cruise ship dock, and how much money is available and HOW for any extension of the airport. PLUS we can't keep taking from Social Security without a pay back programme or there won't be anything for people in need. This is a great move from the Governor. Hold the government accountable.
  • VG (18/05/2017, 22:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lock them up
  • Treasuy (19/05/2017, 01:49) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    This guy did a great job in TCI and will certainly shake things up in Tola.
    An inspired appointment!
  • wize up (19/05/2017, 06:37) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    question: under which administration did the United Kingdom submitted the the protocols for effective financial management to our territory?? The British are back home(governor, director of public prosecutions, superintendent of prisons, commissioner of police & auditor general) coming soon the accountant general !!!! Where is that progress our forefathers struggled for because I see direct rule around the corner because of poor political leader; VIP got this territory those protocols for effective financial management issued by the United Kingdom
  • believer (19/05/2017, 08:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need England to appoint permanent secretary to each ministry to look at the minister and the goodwill of this country
    • in agreement (19/05/2017, 12:12) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Believer,
      I concur with your statement 100%. I mean no disrespect to the sitting permanent secretaries but they are just like rubber stamps. I suppose this is as a means of safeguarding their income.In a way I don't blame them because that set would get rid of them right away with the snap of a finger. Lord send help.
  • BVIslander (19/05/2017, 11:33) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Quite sad to see the BVI regressing like this...direct rule is by no means anything to applaud...generations have fought for self-governance...looks like we will have to work from the ground up to regain our standing and correct the steps that brought us to this stage.
  • POPE (19/05/2017, 13:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    me disagree with Frazer lock them up
  • Too many cookies gone (19/05/2017, 15:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too many cookies gone out the jar and no one filling it back up. YEs as BVI Islanders you should be embarrassed that your elected governments are being sooo greedy and helping themselves personally before they think about the good of the people. Too much money has been wasted in this country that should be being spent on infrastructure, schools and social care for elderly, not making those in govt and their friends and family wealthier. How many of them put their hands in their pockets and give back to the country? A small few which is why this country has so to stop and sort this stuff out now.
  • 1 (19/05/2017, 17:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm not sure what more anyone could write about this government's inexcusable behavior.
  • rattie (19/05/2017, 19:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    So which politicians / contractors will beheld accountable?.
  • 911 (19/05/2017, 19:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's also clear that if persons in high and low places see others "get away" after stealing the citizen's money, hope, and future like this, they themselves will be emboldened to try it themselves.
    One Love!
  • my 2 cents (19/05/2017, 19:32) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    All companies and individual that received payment from the ministry of works and Education should have their accounts frozen immediately. It does not matter who.
  • wize up (19/05/2017, 21:18) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    When the U.K. Take over; some of us thinking that things will get better for locals but I have news for them: do you remember the days of slavery/history will recall....Let me share an example with you; the deputy commissioner could not convince the the governor and those on the national security board that more funding was needed however within one year on the job the fellow U.K. subject got almost 2 million(some might get the point and others won't!!!!) do a follow up on that former commissioner; living large in sunny Florida while the 3 brothers under his command awaiting trial
  • Thing to talk (19/05/2017, 22:18) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    THERE IS A BIG MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT GOING ON DOWN IN ANGUILLA,HON MINISTER WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT,INURING MINDS WANT TO KNOW,


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.