Challenges on the staffing front
The recruitment and retention of professional staff continued to be a key focus for ANAO during 2006–07. The ANAO is constantly reviewing its human resource practices in recognition of operating in a very competitive professional environment. Our environment is one of increasing work complexities in a situation where overall experience levels of staff are decreasing. There is a shortage of experienced staff in the auditing and accounting field, not only in the public sector but also in the private sector. While we have managed to increase our staff levels overall, recruiting at the senior manager level for financial statement audit continues to be particularly challenging.
As a longer term strategy I am seeking to increase the number of ANAO staff undertaking financial statement audits in the general government sector by increasing our presence in some areas currently serviced by contractors on my behalf. This will allow the ANAO to retain higher levels of corporate knowledge and provide more greater of service to audit clients.
The ANAO continues to look for opportunities to promote the employment advantages of working in the Office including the wide range of work experiences offered both in the performance and assurance audit roles.