Comptroller and Accountant General urges Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions to Uphold Public Financial Management Law

Monrovia, Liberia - The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning through the office of the Comptroller and Accountant General is calling on all government entities to acknowledge and uphold the Public Financial Management Law of Liberia, regarding the suspension, transfers, reassignments, and dismissals of Comptrollers and Accountant staff in Liberia.

The Public Financial Management Law of Liberia clearly outlines the authority and responsibilities to the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, the Civil Service Agency and the Comptrollers and Accountant General in matters concerning the appointment, suspension, reassignment, and dismissal of comptrollers and accountant staff within government ministries, agencies and commissions.

According to the office of the Comptroller and Accountant General of Liberia, the power and authority to effect the change of status (suspension, transfers, reassignments, dismissals) of Comptrollers and Accounting staff squarely lies in the purview of the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, CSA and the Comptroller and Accountant General of Liberia.

Such decision as explained by the CAG office is consistent with Part II, Section 12; (3, 4 and 5) of the amended and restated Public Financial Management (PFM) law of 2009 captioned, “power and duties of Comptroller and Accountant General”, and clearly articulates the authority of the CAG as: “head of the accountant class within the public service to which all accounting staff in that service belong.”

It continued “with authority to station in any ministry of agency of government accounting staff and shall give general or specific instructions to line Ministries, Agencies, Commissions (MACs) and public officers consistent with the provisions of the act in consultation with the Minister of Finance and Development Planning.”

This law serves as a crucial framework for maintaining transparency, accountability, and efficiency in financial management across all sectors of the Liberian government.

Additionally, heads of ministries, agencies and commissions are encouraged to refer all matters pertaining to change of the status of accounting staff (including Comptrollers) to the office of the Comptroller and Accountant General for appropriate action, in line with the PFM Law.

Moreover, the Comptroller and Accountant General office says it remains resolute in ensuring that all accounting staff exhibit the highest standards of professionalism in the execution of their duties.