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Annex to the Statement of Management Responsibility including Internal Control over Financial Reporting - Unaudited

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Canadian Space Agency

Fiscal year 2014-2015

1. Introduction

This document provides summary information on the measures taken by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) including information on internal control management, assessment results and related action plans.

Detailed information on the Canadian Space Agency Act, its mandate, and program activities can be found in the 2014-15 Departmental Performance Report and in the 2014-15 Report on Plans and Priorities.

2. Departmental system of internal control over financial reporting

2.1 Internal control management

The CSA has a well-established governance and accountability structure to support departmental assessment efforts and oversight of its system of internal control which promotes continuous improvement. The CSA Framework for the internal control management, which indicates the objective, the expected results, the principle and approach as well as the roles and responsibilities in regards to internal controls, was approved by the President on June 19, 2013.

The CSA internal control management framework includes the following:

The CSA established an Audit Committee (AC) in 2010. The AC is composed of the CSA President and three external members, one of whom chairs the Committee. In addition, the Vice-President, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive attend all meetings. The AC provides advice to the President on the adequacy and functioning of the Agency's risk management, control and governance frameworks and processes. It reviews amongst others, the internal control system, by the update on results on the monitoring and the action plans related to the system of ICFR as well as the financial reports. In 2014-2015, the AC had three meetings and participated in five teleconferences.

2.2 Service Arrangements Relevant to Financial Statements

The CSA relies on other organizations for the processing of certain transactions that are recorded in its financial statements:

Common Arrangements:

Specific Arrangements:

3. Assessment results for fiscal year 2014-2015

During 2014-2015, the CSA completed the operating effectiveness testing in all key control areas. The on-going monitoring was implemented according to the plan.

3.1 Design effectiveness testing of key controls

Design effectiveness testing was completed in 2013-2014.

3.2 Operating effectiveness testing of key controls

In 2014-2015, the CSA completed, in accordance with the plan, the operating effectiveness testing for mandatory training, performance appraisal, budgeting and work in progress.

As a result of the operating effectiveness testing, the CSA identified the following required improvement:

Mandatory training

3.3 On-going monitoring of key controls

In 2014-2015, the CSA performed, in accordance with the plan, the on-going monitoring of key controls for payroll, write-off and disposal, procurement to payment as well as specific related IT controls within the business processes.

As a result of the on-going monitoring, the CSA identified the following required improvements:

Payroll

Write-off and disposal

Procurement to payment

4. Canadian Space Agency's Action Plan

4.1 Progress during fiscal year 2014-2015

During 2014-2015, the CSA has completed the ICFR system assessment and began the on-going monitoring according to the previous fiscal years plan. The progress achieved according to this plan is summarized as follows:

Elements in previous year's action plan identified for 2014-2015
Key Control Areas Effective
operating testing
On-going monitoring Progress Status
Entity level controls
Performance Appraisal and Mandatory Training Yes - Operating effectiveness testing is complete and one observation was presented. The improvement has been implemented.
Budgeting and Forecast performance Yes - Operating effectiveness testing is complete. No weaknesses were found.
General IT controls
General IT Controls - Yes On-going monitoring testing was conducted. No weaknesses were found.
Process level controls
Payroll - Yes On-going monitoring testing was conducted and weaknesses have been identified. The major part of the improvements have been implemented, however, some improvements are still being developed.
Write-Off and Disposal - Yes Operating effectiveness testing is complete and weaknesses we found. Improvements have been implemented.
Work in Progress - Capital Assets Yes - Operating effectiveness testing is complete. No weaknesses were found.
Operating Expenditures - Procurement to Payment - Yes On-going monitoring testing was conducted and weaknesses have been identified. The improvements have been implemented.

4.2 Status and action plan for the next fiscal year and subsequent years

The CSA will be applying its rotational on-going monitoring plan to reassess control performance on a risk basis across all control areas. The status and action plan to pursue the on-going monitoring for fiscal 2015-2016 and for the next fiscal years are as follows:

Status and action plan for the next fiscal year and subsequent years
Key Control Areas Assessment Elements
Operating effectiveness
testing and implementation
of improvements
On-Going
Monitoring
Rotation Footnote 1
Entity level controls
Organizational Risk Management Completed Future years
Performance Appraisal and Mandatory Training Completed 2015-2016
Delegation Instrument and Assignment of Delegated Authority Completed Future years
Budgeting and Forecast performance Completed Future years
General IT controls
General IT Controls Completed 2015-2016
Process level controls
Payroll Footnote 2 Completed 2015-2016
Operating Expenditures - Travel and Hospitality Completed 2015-2016
Operating Expenditures - Procurement to payment Completed Future years
Write-Off and Disposal Completed Future years
Work in Progress - Capital Assets Completed Future years
Transfer Payments Completed 2015-2016
Month / Year-End procedures and Financial Reports Completed Future years
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