Overview

Overview

Overview

A Leader in Transforming Public Sector Finance and Internal Audit

The Accountant-General’s Department (AGD) is a department under the Ministry of Finance (MOF). We support the Accountant-General in fulfilling the statutory duties under the Constitution, the Financial Procedure Act and other legislative statutes. We partner with MOF in making Singapore a better place through finance and work closely with Government agencies to raise the capabilities of financial management and strengthen governance in the Public Sector.

Statutory Duties of Accountant-General

The statutory duties of the Accountant-General as specified under the Constitution and various statutes are as follows:

  • Inform the President of any proposed transaction that would likely draw on the reserves of the Government (Constitution, Article 148G).

  • Responsible for the supervision and administration of the Government accounting system. The duties associated with this role include:

    • Prepare annual Government Financial Statements for Minister’s presentation to Parliament and President (Financial Regulations, Regulation 28)

    • Administer and make payments of public monies (Financial Procedure Act, Section 2B)

    • Set procedures for the purchase, custody and disposal of public property (Financial Procedure Act, Section 2B)

    • Report material financial irregularities (Financial Regulations 4)

  • Establish accounting standards for Statutory Boards such that the accounts and financial statements of every statutory body is in compliance with the standards (Accounting Standards Act, Section 11).

Our Role

AGD supports MOF in serving Singapore and the Government.

Steward of Public Sector Finances

As the steward of public sector finance, AGD safeguards public resources by preparing the Government Financial Statements, managing the Whole-of-Government balance sheet, and providing critical insights to guide decision-making across agencies. We also set and maintain accounting standards, policies and practices to ensure consistency and transparency in financial reporting across the public sector.

Provider of Finance & Internal Audit Services

AGD functions as a key enabler in the public sector by providing:

  • Critical integrated financial systems and services, ensuring secure and efficient processing of government cash, receipts, and payments to vendors, employees, and pensioners.

  • Central audit system and internal audit services to Government agencies, delivering key audit insights via a harmonised process to strengthen Whole-of-Government governance.

Builder of a Forward-Looking and Competent Finance & Internal Audit Workforce

In our role as a capability builder, AGD develops the financial and internal audit competencies of the Public Sector Finance and Internal Audit workforce. From development of competency frameworks and curation of targeted training programmes to structured job rotations across Government agencies for officers, we nurture finance and internal audit professionals and leaders who can effectively serve the public sector.

Our Strategic Thrusts

We seek to deliver on our mission and vision through the fulfilment of four strategic thrusts:

Strong Stewardship of Public Finances

Through the establishment of robust policies, accounting standards, and internal controls to safeguard public finances, AGD maintains high standards in financial and reserves reporting while ensuring optimal management of Singapore's balance sheet. Our work includes reviewing investment management rules, strengthening governance through fraud detection, and setting sustainability disclosure standards for Statutory Boards.

Best-In-Class Central Operations & Professional Services

We manage and enhance critical financial systems that serve the whole of government, including NFS@Gov, Vendors@Gov, and Cumulus Workday. We catalyse digital transformation efforts to upgrade central systems and streamline processes, improving Whole-of-Nation payment efficiency and strengthening controls and integration of key systems across government agencies.

Leading Public Sector Finance and Internal Audit

AGD drives innovation and excellence in public sector finance and internal audit. Through continuous upskilling, we transform the Finance and Internal Audit workforce into a Leading, Engaged, Agile, and Productive workforce with deep technical expertise, equipped with future-ready capabilities.

AGD also empowers public sector finance and internal audit to make data-driven decisions, enabled by technology and harmonisation of financial data. We also elevate Singapore’s international presence through building networks with key counterparts.

People as Our Core

We foster a performance-oriented, purpose-driven, and people-centric culture that emphasises both professional growth and a strong AGD core. Our commitment to deepening our workforce’s capabilities include comprehensive training programmes, regular cross-sharing sessions, and opportunities for leadership development.

Through regular staff engagements and an emphasis on empathetic leadership, we promote a supportive workplace environment that values staff well-being, diversity, and collaboration.

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Core Beliefs