Internal rumblings on the re-appointment of an ICS Darwin treasurer who oversaw supplier payments involving the personal bank accounts of committee members, cashed in the 2022-23 financial year, have reached The Mango Inquirer.
An auditor's report seen by this publication dated May 2024 outlines "cheque issuance and documentation deficiencies" in the committee's financial operations.
The report states that payments "ostensibly intended for various suppliers" were deposited into the personal bank accounts of the ICS management committee members.
The audit went on: "Upon our request for substantiating documentation, such as reimbursement forms or format approvals from the association's members, no such documentation was provided.
"This lack of supporting evidence raises concerns about the appropriateness and transparency of these transactions, as they do not align with standard accounting practices and internal controls expected for financial integrity and accountability."
The report said: "The practice of issuing cheques to the management committee instead of directly to suppliers, coupled with the lack of supporting documentation, has several significant implications."
One of the implications were "undermining the trust and confidence of stakeholders, including members of the association, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. This could have long-term reputational impacts."
Recommendations by the auditor included a mitigation of risk by making direct payments to suppliers, which would help "enhance the integrity of the financial reporting process".
Our source said: "Everyone received the auditor's report, but no one has the balls to bring this up.
"Some of the committee [allegedly] have Labor connections, and that's why no one will openly question it.
The Mango Inquirer does not imply that ICS Darwin have engaged in fraud, or any other financial misconduct.
We have contacted the committee for comment, but did not receive a response prior to publishing.
We are The Mango Inquirer.
