Company Profile

Job Description

Project Background

The USAID funded Ghana Fiscal Accountability Strengthening Activity (FASA) will work in key areas of Ghana’s public financial management (PFM) ecosystem to enhance the accountability, transparency, and efficiency of public expenditures. After the country defaulted in 2022, significantly raising the cost of living for most Ghanaians, international and domestic attention turned to the government. Building on the foundation laid by previous reforms, FASA will partner with key Ghanaian institutions such as the Ghana Audit Service and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to raise the bar for fiscal accountability at national and subnational levels.

Position Purpose

The External Audit Expert is responsible for overseeing technical assistance provided to the Ghana Audit Service (GAS) for the USAID Fiscal Accountability Strengthening Activity. This involves supporting improved collaboration and coordination between GAS and other government entities, strengthening performance auditing at the national and sub-national levels, and improving internal and public-facing GAS communications.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to government agencies on audit best practices and internal control systems.
• Support the development and implementation of audit policies and procedures.
• Support improved coordination between the Public Account Committee and GAS, GAS and Internal Audit Units, and GAS Committees
• Facilitate capacity-building initiatives for government auditors.
• Review audit reports to assess the quality of audit work and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide technical guidance to external auditors on relevant auditing standards and methodologies.
• Develop and implement a quality assurance framework for external audits.
• Review audit working papers and evidence to ensure compliance with auditing standards.
• Work at the national and sub-national levels to support performance auditing
• Support advocacy campaigns aimed at promoting the importance of external audits and accountability in government.
• Collaborate with audit-focused CSOs to expand public interests in audit findings and reports
• Advocate for the adoption of international auditing standards.
• Track the progress of external audit activities and document their impact.
• Collect data on the quality of audits and the effectiveness of audit recommendations.
• Prepare regular reports on external audit activities and their outcomes.

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, economics, finance, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana (ICAG), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent professional qualification.
• At least 10 years of experience in external auditing, preferably in the public sector.
• Strong understanding of auditing standards and methodologies.
• Experience working with government agencies and civil society organizations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in English Language