Driving Transparency and Accountability in Public Finance through PAC and Auditor General Collaboration

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of the Cayman Islands continues to strengthen its oversight of public finances through its close and ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Auditor General (OAG). This partnership serves as a cornerstone of parliamentary scrutiny, ensuring that public expenditure is subject to rigorous, independent review and aligned with the principles of transparency, efficiency, and value for money.

Central to this effort is the leadership and sustained commitment of the PAC Chair, Mr. Roy McTaggart, who has diligently served in this capacity since 2021, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to advancing financial accountability and good governance within the Cayman Islands. Under his leadership, the Committee has continued to enhance its role as a key accountability mechanism within Parliament, fostering a culture of scrutiny and continuous improvement across the public sector.

Members of the Public Accounts Committee comprise of:

• Mrs. Julie J. T. Hunter, JP, MP

• Hon. Kenneth V. Bryan, JP, MP

• Mr. A. Royston Tatum, Cert. Hon., JP, MP

• Hon. G. Wayne Panton, JP, MP; and

• Mr. Christopher S. Saunders, JP, MP.

Working in partnership with the Auditor General, Mr. Patrick Smith, alongside Deputy Auditor General (Financial Audit), Mr. Winston Sobers, and Deputy Auditor General (Performance Audit), Ms. Angela Cullen, the PAC plays a vital role in scrutinising the use of public funds and ensuring that Government entities are held to the highest standards of accountability. The independent audit work of the OAG provides the evidentiary foundation for the Committee to conduct informed and effective examinations of public sector performance and financial management.

Through the systematic examination of audit reports and the convening of public hearings, the PAC and the OAG collectively contribute to providing accurate, transparent, and timely information to the public. These processes not only reinforce the principles of openness and accountability, but also promote greater public understanding of how Government resources are allocated, managed, and safeguarded. Public hearings, in particular, serve as a critical mechanism for transparency, enabling the Committee to question accounting officers and senior public officials in an open and accountable forum.

The findings and recommendations arising from these engagements, supported by the independent work of the OAG, continue to drive measurable improvements in financial management, internal controls, and governance practices across the public sector. Importantly, this process also encourages greater

institutional responsiveness and reinforces the expectation that public entities act in accordance with established standards and best practices.

This continued collaboration underscores the shared commitment of the PAC and the Office of the Auditor General to uphold the integrity of public financial management, strengthen parliamentary oversight, and maintain public confidence in the stewardship of the Cayman Islands’ resources.