Civil society organisations (CSOs) are compelled to report their source of revenues higher than 20,000 Br during annual audits, according to a new directive that came to light two weeks ago. Legal experts at the Authority for Civil Society Organizations stress the directive will prevent financial mismanagements covered under auditors selected by the organisations serving as a benchmark by setting criteria for submitted documents. According to Fasikaw Molla, deputy head of the Authority, the absence of defined requirements proved to be time-consuming and resulted in a difference in the auditing process. He indicated that although payments are determined by audit reports, the procedures should be similar. The directive entails that CSOs are obliged to include incomes and shares from donors, funds raised from public gatherings and financial statements in accordance with accounting principles and guidelines issued by the Authority. But organisations with annual transactions below 200,000 Br can submit a statement mentioning income expense, assets and liability. The Authority oversees 4,400 organisations where 570 are international that mostly participated during the draft stage, according to Fasikaw. Last week Jima Dilbo who headed the Authority for over four years handed over the baton to Samson Biratu. Jima indicated that he was fortunate to build a strong institution and relationship between civil society organisations while the newly appointed Director General pledged to continue the reform works in the management.

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