Caymanian takes on critical gov’t watchdog role
(CNS): Patrick Smith has been appointed as the first Caymanian auditor general of the Cayman Islands, one of the most important independent jobs in the public sector. The Office of the Auditor General acts as a major check on how, why, where and on what the government spends taxpayers’ cash and whether it is value for public money.
Smith is currently one of three deputy auditors general and is acting auditor general. He will formally take on the top job from 1 June. A release about the appointment said that Smith was appointed after a rigorous recruitment drive, which ran locally and internationally for the highly specialised post.
The recruitment panel, chaired by Governor Jane Owen, comprised distinguished individuals from Cayman’s private sector and from senior auditing and leadership roles in the United Kingdom and Jamaica, the release stated.
“This is a vital role which reinforces Cayman’s ongoing commitment to good governance and sound financial practices across our public sector,” Owen said. “I am confident that Patrick will bring continuity based on his experience, but also a fresh approach to strategy and the challenges of the future.”
Smith first joined the OAG in March 2002 as a senior auditor, and he has held several positions during his tenure, including audit manager, financial audit principal, and deputy auditor general, with responsibility for the in-house financial audit practice. In 2023, he was appointed as deputy auditor general with responsibility for corporate and international affairs.
In addition to leading the OAG’s corporate, finance and information technology affairs, he oversaw, on behalf of the OAG, the financial audits conducted by private firms and worked with the INTOSAI Development Initiative as a consultant.
Smith has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from the University of the West Indies and is a certified public accountant. In addition, he is a certified fraud examiner, is certified in quality management auditing, and holds a diploma in international public sector accounting standards. He began his audit career with KPMG Barbados in 1996, after which he worked as the lead internal auditor for a regional manufacturing plant before transitioning to the OAG.
Smith said he was honoured to accept the job. “It is a privilege to assume this key position, which plays a vital role in ensuring accountability, integrity, and transparency in the public service. I look forward to continuing the important work conducted by the Office of the Auditor General in enhancing financial reporting, promoting good governance, and supporting the long-term sustainability of our Islands,” he added.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, who is expected to answer for the often uncomfortable findings of the OAG, congratulated Smith and said he looked forward “to continuing a highly collaborative working relationship with the OAG under Mr Smith’s very able leadership”.
He added, “The civil service remains committed to ensuring that our work delivers value for money and promotes good governance in these Islands.” Manderson described Smith as a “highly experienced professional” who would “continue to build upon the very high employee engagement, professionalism and effectiveness” within the OAG.
Public Accounts Committee Chair Roy McTaggart also welcomed the appointment. The release said that, as a longstanding and respected leader, Smith has strong relationships with PAC as well as with regional and international audit bodies, senior personnel within the civil service and the public sector.
Under the Constitution, the OAG has the power and responsibility to audit the public accounts of the Cayman Islands, as well as the accounts and finances of all authorities, offices and departments of government. It also has the power to undertake value-for-money investigations into these entities.
Smith takes over from Sue Winspear, who left Cayman earlier this year due to ill health. In her final report, she warned that the current level of public spending was unsustainable and the government was at risk of not being able to meet future financial commitments.
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Category: Government Administration, Politics
We wish him well and hope he is not a Lodge man ?
That “Smith has strong relationships with PAC as well as…senior personnel within the civil service and the public sector” reeks of the wrong sort of personal relationship bias when the OAG is supposed to be seen as a pull-no-punches independent watchdog. He’s not supposed to be their BBQ buddy of those under review. That is not a value add in this role.
11:21. Rubbish and reaks of I can’t hold my friends accountable so Smith can’t
Why was the independent OAG recruitment drive limited to just Cayman, UK, and Jamaica? The latter being a very oddball preference for this important anti-corruption role.
Great- Since this new AG is Caymanian, maybe his reports won’t be ignored now.
I have zero faith in this appointment.
Goodluck to us all.
*Barbadian with Cayman Status.
Troll BAIT MUCH?
Tru thing though. he nah a local
Time to get a new AG – Attorney General!
A Caymanian, we’ve got so many qualified native Caymanians who could be AG and also Chief Justice.
Really? Stupse
Yes we do. But they are shut out of contemplation.
Name them 10:14
Going through the Alphabet I would suggest an Andre (but he is busy) so propose an Abraham, or a Basdeo, or a couple of Collins prospects (can get a great brother/sister team there), or a Conolly…
There are plenty of options. Some would take some time to develop the full range of attributes required, but they exist, and have for years.
Chief Justice is a Caymanian
Not in the context being discussed here she isn’t. You might be trolling though I suppose!
Congrats Patrick! God bless you as you take on this new and vital role.
Kenneth Jefferson has a wealth of experience. He has worked with several auditor generals and has been found to be a valuable asset. We need more like Ken. We also wish Patrick Smith all the best in his new role.
Its a fallacy to believe that Caymanians cant be fair, honest and professional in their role. Its a greater fallacy to suggest only other nationalities are capable of professional equity.
LMAO!
KJ literally author of hiding billions in liabilities from our Balance Sheet to retain mirage of compliance with FFR:
https://caymannewsservice.com/2024/08/cig-debt-under-control-but-liabilities-still-pose-problem/
The final nail in the coffin for our islands. Letting us mark our own homework is bound to be a train wreck.
This is good. The teachers marking their own homework…. You know, exactly what the governor is supposed to prevent.
A Caymanian holding his dozens of cousins and relatives accountable is nut
He is Barbadian with Cayman Status.
But the same logic applies.
ha ha ha ha ha…thats all i can say!
Good for him. Good luck Patrick, it may be a high sounding role but it can be a poisoned chalice. Now waiting for discussion on his “Caymanian-ness”…….BTW If he wasn’t born and bred here that will prove to be an advantage in this job.
Agreed. Same with police officers — sadly (Too many “cousins” and old classmates to remain objective)
Oh be quiet with your “Caymanian-ness”. If after 12 months he not capable, throw him out! Real world!
This is the Civil Service. Impossible to manage performance.
Job for life.
Not to be pedantic – and I congratulate the man – but should we really be emphasising his Caymanianness? An example to all young Caymanians, sure. Is he not equally (or even more) an example to all young Bajans? Was he Caymanian when he joined the OAG? He seems to have started his career in Barbados. Is that in fact his “homeland”, or did this capable Caymanian leave Cayman to enter the workforce elsewhere?
The Governor is once again being used as a tool. The emphasis on his ‘Caymanianess’ comes from not from her but from other Senior Civil Servants and . the Deputy Governor himself. It is decoy to distract from the potential weakening of an important, independent office.
Sue Winspear’s days were numbered after she wrote her report about the irregularities in the recruitment process for the overseas offices in 2020. It was made clear to her that her contract would not be renewed and she would be replaced with a Caymanian. This notice preceded her cancer diagnosis.
Upon review of the circumstances surrounding Ms Winspear’s departure, one cannot help but note with considerable concern the rather troubling implications for proper oversight. The appointment of a local successor, whilst laudable in principle, raises serious questions about maintaining the requisite independence and impartiality so fundamental to the role of Auditor General.
In a small jurisdiction such as the Cayman Islands, where social and cultural connections are intricate and far-reaching, the installation of an insider potentially subject to local pressures (or with default social affinities) could significantly compromise the robust scrutiny necessary for effective governance.
The Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s apparent preference for more amenable oversight arrangements seems rather at odds with the principles of good governance and impartiality one might reasonably expect in a British Overseas Territory.
Utter false Trumpian bullshit about Ms Winspears reasons for leaving, 6:07.
She is quite ill
In relation to Ms. Winspear’s departure, I wish her all the best. She was honest, capable, and worked very hard for the people of these islands.I can only imagine the stress she was under trying to do her job and having to deal with these corrupt MPs. Also, many times she did not receive the support and respect she deserved from some of the chief officers and other higher ups.
Well said 6.07pm. The Auditor General has never until now been a local for very good reasons.There is a lot of corruption here and Sue Winspear kept up the tradition of being a completely impartial watchdog, vital to overseeing the governance of this country.
6:07 my godness can you please get over the ill fated and overseas offices audit.
Everyone makes a mistake. Sue left because it was time and she was ill.
get over it.
His Caymanianess was highlighted in the press release. Go ask Mrs. Owens why it was stressed.
How much more pedantic can you be?
As always crabs in a barrel.
Go put your head back in the sand then!
Yep Caymanian!!
Yep, Saunders happy now .
He don’t want no Hinglishman lookin’ over his shoulder when he’s doing sums.
LMAO
Thanks to Mac? – or was that just the CJ and AG?
Franz, are you the last born Caymanian in the Civil Service?
Seek and ye shall find…
https://www.gov.ky/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONTB5751957FEAE4078870F531C89118217/native/2022+CIG+HR+Annual+Report+-+FINAL.pdf?channelToken=c915417e96ad49e2bcda2e4d22158c40
Ummm…granting yourself status and then saying you are Caymanian to make the figures look good does not in fact indicate that a born Caymanian holds any position.
Congratulations. Wishing him all success. Can we now replace Kenneth Jefferson? Time for new (efficient) talent in his role…
Ken used to work in the Audit Office. The then Auditor General didn’t think much of him and tried hard to get rid of him.
True dat 7:57. Esdaile was apoplectic about his uselessness but of course no one listened.
Yes. We need someone from Trinidad, Jamaica or Barbados. Then the takeover will be complete.
Is the country of origin more important than the quality of the work? I am curious. I would expect Caymanians want public funds to be managed and reported both timely and accurately (but perhaps it does not matter that the accounts are not clear, as long as they are done by fellow born Caymanians)
The quality of the work is the most important factor. The quality of the person’s education is an indicator of the quality of the work. T
That is why all our leadership is a graduate of the University of the West Indies. Recognised globally as being the best. Much better than Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford …
FFS Cayman!