Sharman appointed next Auditor General

Former Chief Auditor of Turks and Caicos Islands, Phil Sharman, has been appointed the next Auditor General of the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The appointment will take effect in August 2017, said the Government Information Service in a media release this afternoon, May 18.

The Auditor General monitors the financial activities of Government departments and statutory bodies, to ensure accountability of public funds and compliance with financial regulations and budgetary constraints.

The holder of the post also serves as an advisory member of the Public Accounts Committee, and will report annually on the accounts of the House of Assembly and all Government departments and offices.

The post of Auditor General has been vacant since the retirement Sonia Webster in September 2015.

“The vacancy was followed by comprehensive recruitment rounds on three separate occasions to identify the best suited candidate,” said the government.

Governor John Duncan has appointment Sharman, in accordance with advice from the Public Service Commission, and after consultation with Premier Dr D Orlando Smith.

The government’s communication arm further stated that Sharman holds “in-depth knowledge” of United Kingdom Overseas Territories.

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.

The government said Sharman has “extensive experience” as a statutory external auditor. He 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.

Currently, Sharman is 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 audits.