Audit of Quebec Region
July 1997

Executive Summary

The main focuses of the Quebec region audit are finance, administration, human resources and informatics. According to the audit team, the management and control features of the various elements related to finance, administration, human resources and informatics are adequate. However, some improvements are required by regional management to ensure greater efficiency in the management of operations. The issues for discussion are outlined below, in a succinct way, without providing their context.

Finance

The billing and fund receipt process for the district offices of Measurement Canada need to be improved in order to ensure a more efficient operation framework and a better control.

There is no reconciliation of funds received for the revenues of Corporations, Consumer Products and Intellectual Property.

Administrative Services

The control of the vehicle fleet in the regional office could be improved.

The control of capital assets and computer equipment inventories is inadequate.

There is no process in force to ensure the consistency of record coding, storage and archiving throughout the sectors.

Moreover, there is no common policy between the sectors concerning the coding of records.

Human Resources Management

At the human resources management level, it was noted that some responsibility centres did not have a formal system in place for the control of leave and time off in lieu of overtime. As well, the lack of a human resources management plan, at the regional level, leads to not having a total control over the work force concerning aspects such as skills, experience, language requirements, age and equal participation.

Management Action Taken (December 2000)

The Regional Branch was informed about the observations mentioned in this report and took immediate action in order to rectify most of the identified weaknesses. As of September 2000, all of the recommendations were addressed with the exception of the inventories of the Bankruptcy Branch – Montreal. This branch has taken its inventory but must still record it in the departmental financial system. The Finance and Administration Branch is supervising this exercise and ensuring that the work is adequately executed.

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