Recommendation 15

It was recommended that the Department of Education:

Review the appropriateness of the current outsourced business manager and bookkeeper arrangements, as to whether they should be bound by the same rules as department employed business managers.

Status

This recommendation has been completed.

Schools are required to use Northern Territory Government employees for business manager and bookkeeper services who are Northern Territory Public Sector employed business managers and bureau staff (and not school body employed staff). Schools must not directly employ bookkeepers and business managers.

The chief executive of the department will approve exceptional circumstances when there is a need to outsource bookkeeping services to a contractor who is qualified under a professional standards body.

Principals are responsible for ensuring their schools follow this instruction.