Reforms in Budgeting and Expenditure Control Final Report
6. FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
6.1, Introduction
6.1.1. This and the next two sections deal with the financial administration, accounting systems,
and specific issues relating to accounting and financial control. This is in line with the requirements
in the terms of reference, and also to deal with the various issues raised in the CORBEC Report
The linkages between budgeting, expenditure control and expenditure monitoring have been
examined above in Section 3 on Financial Management and Reporting. Technical Paper No. 3
“Financial Administration” provides a more detailed description of the existing systems and
structures
Concern
apeeSart Stat OF Hf 6.1.2. In broad terms, we wil conclude that there are indications of very
ng Sys serious problems with the current accounting systems and procedures.
This is evidenced by the failure to publish Appropriation Accounts since
1987/68, the fact that in, for example, July 1992 the balance according to
Evidence the Bangladesh Bank differed from that of the Controller General of
substantia svidencell A0ccunts by Taka 5.2 bilion (approximately $132m,), and the fact that in
general the IMED monitoring system is regarded as producing more
major problems J reliable data on the finances of projects than the accounting system. The
starting point therefore must be that considerable improvement must be
achieved in the scope, relablity and promptness of the accounting
Sonckiaion system for t to become a suitable basis for a system of effective financial
7 management and reporting.
Extensive reforms
are required
6.1.3. Because of the volume of information and issues relating to these three areas, the
Presentation in these three sections differs from other sections. A brief review of the major
problems is followed by a matrix summarising the issues. This then leads into our
recommendations, and then as with other sections, a matrix of the major strategies.
6.1.4. In order to achieve effective accounting and expenditure control it is important to have a
strong administrative structure where financial responsibilities are clearly defined and documented in
rules and regulations. A concept that is gaining increasing acceptance is that within the Rules,
Regulations and Manuals there should be clearly defined accounting standards to be followed in
recording transactions and presenting financial statements.
6.1.5. This section of the report deals with the existing structure, the functions of audit and
accounts including the duality of responsibilty that exists and previous attempts at separation,