System of National Accounts 1993 update

ISIC aggregations for SNA data reporting

In 2005, the UNFPA Audit Services Branch carried out an audit of the data transfer from IMIS to Atlas.

In addition, issues arising out of the revision of the 1993 SNA have been considered in making the CPC a better tool within the SNA framework, such as the consistent introduction of the concept of originals and copies in the classification.

A quality assessment framework, based on quality frameworks for other statistical standards, such as the 1993 SNA and the Balance of Payments Manual, fifth edition, could be developed for SEEA.

External audit welcomes this initiative to modernise the procurement system, which should carry significant benefits.

In the third quarter of 2005, the UNFPA Audit Services Branch performed an audit of the conversion of data from the integrated management information system (IMIS) to Atlas.

While the implications and anticipated resolutions of the SNA issues with respect to the ISIC have been considered, additional issues may arise during the SNA update that may no longer be reflected in the ISIC if the complete alignment with NACE at all levels of the classification is to be maintained.

It is planned to extend these to reflect the needs stemming from the revision of SNA 1993 and to include recommendations on measurement of service activities (the agenda and papers of the expert group meeting can be found at http unstats.un.org unsd industry meetings eg2005 ac105 2.asp).

Comment by the Administration. An independent company commissioned by the Office of Audit and Performance Review has been reviewing controls and risks following the implementation of Atlas.

The consistency of the environmental and economic information of SNA add considerable value to both the environmental and economic information and improve the quality of both statistics.

Agreements reached so far in the SNA update process have been incorporated into the ISIC revision. The Statistical Commission has recognized that the SNA revision process extends beyond the deadline for the completion of the ISIC.

In the light of that achievement, the Committee endorsed the update of SEEA 2003 to allow its release as an international standard by 2010.

The secretariat has continued to collaborate with the UNFCCC secretariat on administrative matters related related to internal audit, operation of IMIS and procurement of goods and services.

The requirements of 64,400 under consultants relate to the completion of the SWIFT cash management system, which will permit automated matching of cash and investment transactions and consolidation of bank accounts, thus simplifying account management and reducing overall costs for banking.

The design of the web based data system to monitor the audits of nationally executed projects will enable UNFPA to assess the financial magnitude and the occurrence of audit events to better appraise the risks of national execution.

While undertaking these revisions of manuals and handbooks, consistency with the 1993 SNA and its forthcoming revision and other international guidelines and manuals should be ensured.

The Intersecretariat Working Group on National Accounts is responsible for leading the updating work on 1993 SNA, Rev.1.

UNFPA intends to develop a web based data system accessible by country offices to monitor the implementation of audit recommendations for nationally executed projects.

In addition, I have the honour to present the report of the Board of Auditors with respect to the above accounts, including an audit opinion thereon.

Open Accounts

All accounts

Special accounts.

b Outposted to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs for financial matters related to technical cooperation.

Monitoring of accounts

Report by the Director General

Health accounts

Principal accounts

(a) Reviewing the strategy and workplans of internal and, in some organizations, external audit and discussing the scope and content of their audits so as to identify audit priorities and suggesting potential audit areas within which to address the organization's risks

Management should therefore restructure auditing with a view to improving coverage of field peacekeeping activities and developing benchmarks and parameters to facilitate future auditing.

One important development was the publication by the United Nations in 2003 of the Handbook on Non Profit Institutions in the System of National Accounts.1 This calls on national statistical offices to prepare a satellite account on the non profit sector, including the value of voluntary action, as part of their regular economic data gathering and reporting.

Any statement of ex gratia payments is submitted to the Board of Auditors with the annual accounts.

(Signed) Philippe Séguin First President of the Court of Accounts of France (Lead Auditor)

IMIS calculates only once per month on the basis of the percentage entered in each allocation amendment entered into IMIS.

It stressed the importance of linking the release of SEEA with the release of other international standards, such as the updated 1993 SNA and the revised Balance of Payments Manual, which will be issued in 2008.

Audit process

External auditors

Internal auditors

Scope of audit

Audit opinion

Resident auditors

(i) Accounts Unit

External audit

Internal audit

Audit costs