Appendix E. Glossary

Accountability

Responsibility on public sector entities to achieve their objectives, with regard to reliability of financial reporting, effectiveness and efficiency of operations, compliance with applicable laws, and reporting to interested parties.

Amortisation

The systematic allocation of the depreciable amount of an intangible asset over its expected useful life.

Asset

A resource controlled by an entity as a result of past events, and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity.

6 Internal controls

At a glance

Background

This Part presents the results of our review of the procurement practices and financial policies and delegations in the technical and further education (TAFE) sector.

Conclusion

Overall we found that documented policies and clear financial delegations had been established across the TAFE sector. Controls over procurement were generally adequate, but improvements could still be made in documenting the key integrity activities that underpin a tender process.

5 Financial sustainability

At a glance

Background

To be financially sustainable, entities need to be able to meet current and future expenditure as it falls due. They also need to absorb foreseeable changes and risks, and adapt their revenue and expenditure policies to address changes in their operating environment. This Part provides an insight into the financial sustainability of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes based on an analysis of the trends in their key financial indicators over the past five years.

3 Performance reporting

At a glance

Background

This Part covers the results of the 2013 audits of performance statements for the 14 technical and further education (TAFE) institutes, four dual-sector universities and one associated entity that are required to include an audited statement of performance in their annual report.