This Section derives its authority from Sections 38 and 39 of the Co-operative Societies Act, and Section 23 of the Friendly Societies Act, whereby the Registrar shall audit or cause to be audited all registered Societies annually. In order to effect this action, the Audit and Investigations Section undertakes the auditing of the accounts of all Co-operatives and Friendly Societies. Audit exercises are carried out by the staff of the Department or by assignment of some audit to external auditors who are appointed by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies and Friendly Societies.

The Section undertakes its mandates through the following activities:

• Ensuring that Societies maintain an effective system of control and the reliability of accounts

• Ensuring compliance with the Co-operative and Friendly Societies Acts and Regulations, Rules and approved accounting procedures via constant monitoring

• Investigating and verifying suspected incidences of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and gross mismanagement

• Reporting to the Registrar Of Co-operative Societies and Friendly Societies all inadequacies and improprieties observed in the financial operations and transactions of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies and recommended corrective action

• Attendance at Committee and Annual General Meetings of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies to facilitate explanation of audit reports and to answer questions relating to the audit and financial standing of the Society.