MARKHAM HIRES AUDITOR GENERAL

MARKHAM, ON ~ Markham has hired an Auditor General to ensure the Town’s operations are managed as effectively as possible. Ingrid Kutter, a Chartered Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor, has been appointed to an initial three-year fulltime contract.

“During my inaugural speech I pledged to appoint an Auditor General. Council approved this position and I am delighted we now have an excellent person for the job,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “While I believe Town of Markham staff members are among the very best in Canada, I also believe an independent perspective can help us identify ways in which we can do an even better job for Town residents.”

Ms Kutter joins the Town of Markham after eight years with Aviva Canada, most recently as its Vice-President Internal Audit. Aviva is the second largest property and casualty insurance company in Canada. A Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Toronto, her qualifications include the designations of Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Ms Kutter articled with KPMG Canada and has held numerous audit positions within the financial services sector with National Trust, Canada Trust, and Aviva.  She is also the incoming Senior Vice-President for the Institute of Internal Auditors –Toronto Chapter assisting the President in the effective and efficient administration of the Chapter, having previously served as Vice-President of Programs.

As Markham’s Auditor General, Ms Kutter will report directly to Council and will be responsible for planning, conducting, evaluating and monitoring results of financial, compliance and performance (value for money) audits of all programs, activities and functions of all Town departments, local boards and such municipally-controlled corporations and grant recipients as Council may specify. “I am committed to providing value added services, and I look forward to serving the residents of the Town of Markham,” said Ms Kutter.

The Auditor General position, added to Ontario’s Municipal Act in 2006, has broad powers. For example:

·         the municipality, its local boards and municipally-controlled corporations shall provide the Auditor General any information he or she believes is necessary to perform his or her duties

·         the Auditor General is entitled to free access to anything necessary to perform his or her duties

·         the Auditor General may examine any person on oath on any matter pertinent to an audit or examination.

The Auditor General will report to Council on a quarterly basis. “By having an Auditor General, we are about ensuring added value for taxpayers’ dollars,” said Mayor Scarpitti.

BACKGROUND:

Markham is one of the first Ontario municipalities to hire an Auditor General. Auditors General have been appointed by Ottawa, Toronto and Oshawa.

The hiring panel for the Auditor General position included Mayor Frank Scarpitti; Councillors Dan Horchik (chair, Budget Subcommittee) and Joseph Virgilio (chair, Finance Committee); Warren Jestin, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Scotiabank; Darlene Klemchuck, Chair, Markham Board of Trade (with Adecco Employment Services Inc); and Frank Maw, President, Alexander and Associates (former President of Motorola Canada). Senior staff resources were: Markham Chief Administrative Officer John Livey; Director of Human Resources Sharon Laing and Commissioner of Corporate Services Andy Taylor.