Process improvements required to ensure compliance with expense policies

EDMONTON, AB — November 18, 2024 — The Auditor General of Alberta released his annual rotational audit of Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses of the Premier, Ministers, and Their Staff highlighting the need for some process improvements to ensure compliance with Alberta’s Public Disclosure Policy.

This year, the Auditor General audited expenses from the following ministries: Advanced Education; Affordability and Utilities; Arts, Culture and Status of Women; Children and Family Services; Education; Energy and Minerals; Indigenous Relations; Seniors, Community and Social Services; and Tourism and Sport.

“Albertans expect ministers and public servants to be responsible and transparent when spending taxpayers’ dollars to conduct government business,” said Auditor General Doug Wylie. “Effective processes are needed to ensure that people are complying with the expense policies. Albertans need the assurance that these systems are well-designed and working effectively.”

The audit found that these nine ministries had processes to ensure compliance with policies, for the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024; however, some processes at three ministries could be improved. The ministries of Affordability and Utilities, Children and Family Services, and Energy and Minerals should improve controls to ensure all expenses are disclosed as required by the public disclosure policy.

The Auditor General established an annual rotational audit of departments’ systems for verifying that the expenses of the Premier, ministers, associate ministers and their staff comply with policies as described in its May 2017 report. The work includes reviewing expense claims and supporting documents, and interviewing staff. Remuneration, employment and termination benefits, or other office expenses, such as office supplies, were not examined. This is the eighth year of this audit. The report is available at www.oag.ab.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Cheryl Schneider, Executive Director, Engagement and Communications
Mobile: 780-399-0554 | Telephone: 780-422-8375
Email: cschneider@oag.ab.ca

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