Old Boy (Or Girl) Network

I started my career in a bank. From there I was in internal auditor for almost 12 years. I even reached the lofty heights of Chief Audit Executive. Throughout my varied career as an internal auditor, I have been involved in various investigations. And throughout my investigations I would first and foremost look out for the clearest form of connections i.e. connected persons. I will start with spouse, family and later friends and colleagues. Anything that shows any form of link to the suspect.

If there are any preferential treatments, sharing of privileged or confidential information, I want to know about it. It can involve anything. Sharing of contract value, tender details, preferential pricing, preferred vendors or suppliers.

So, when I read that PMX has appointed his daughter as an advisor to MOF, I almost spewed out my morning coffee. And when I read a bunch more politicians have done something similar.....there goes my coffee.

It doesn't matter whether or not they are paid a salary or an allowance, the fact is that this is the sort of situation that will be reported and investigated in my reports. Appointing as an intern or trainee or as an executive in one's own company is something else entirely. But when our relations are appointed to a position that exposes privileged information and knowledge, that could be confidential in nature? My spidey sense tingles.

We have even questioned when tender quotes are the same or very close to the actual contract value. Either they are really that good or there was a leak. We have even reopened tenders because of this fact. So, when there are related parties? I have no answer, while some welcomes it, I have issues with it. My opinion is biased especially because I was a former internal auditor.

Actually, that is not correct. I never stopped being an internal auditor. Internal audit gave me everything and it was the best years of my life. My senior, dearest friend and mentor recently passed away. He shared with me his knowledge and experience, training me in almost everything. Each time I speak of internal audit, I can't help thinking about him.

When I was a rookie internal auditor, we used to test robustness of systems and controls so that it cannot be manipulated. Any form of inappropriate relations or connections will be flagged as check and balances is paramount.

When information and knowledge is freely bandied about, what form of check and balances are there?

I have no answer, but to me integrity should be everything. I prefer to cancel my claims if any portion of my claims are questioned. Even if we shuffle files to give anyone an advantage, our integrity is questionable.

To maintain a modicum of integrity, any of our actions should be beyond scrutiny.