An efficient management structure and administrative
support have long been important pillars of CSD’s institutional
capacity. Having an annual range of diversified projects, both in
terms of subject area and activity type, it is indispensable for
the Center to maintain a managerial structure ensuring that
projects are implemented with the most efficient use of resources.
There is a direct link between CSD’s external mission as a policy
institute and its internal management, which makes it a unique type
of institution in Bulgaria’s NGO sector.
This linkage became all the more evident, and
relevant, in 1999 when the Center became operational Secretariat to
three coalition initiatives – Coalition 2000, the Judicial
Reform Initiative and the Corporate Governance Initiative. This was
a recognition both of CSD’s reputation as an independent
facilitator of reforms, and its institutional capacity to manage
large scale projects. Particularly important in this respect was
the developed internal program structure of the organization, which
allows individual programs – the Economic and Law Programs – to
assume and successfully carry out the responsibilities of
secretariats to these initiatives, and provide operational support
to their activities. Being distinct organizational units, CSD’s
programs could undertake these tasks with little strain on their
human resources.
Having worked under a wide variety of reporting
requirements, CSD’s administration and accounting departments have
accumulated valuable experience. This has made the Center a
reliable partner for many international organizations and bilateral
donors working in Bulgaria as it has given it the ability to
implement large scale projects under the strictest accounting
standards. For seven years now external audits by leading
international accounting firms have both developed and streamlined
CSD’s general and financial management. The experience and
knowledge in the field of internal management and external control
have translated into long term commitment to enhancing the
competence and professionalism of the NGO community in the country
and its public standing through various training, advocacy and
legislative projects.
One way to achieve an efficient and transparent
accounting system is the application of the International
Accounting Standards (IAS) by CSD’s financial department. As a
recognition of this effort, in 1999 the International Accounting
Standards Committee, an independent private-sector body of 143
professional accountancy organizations in 104 member countries
based in the UK, listed CSD as one of the two Bulgarian
institutions applying the IAS. The other institution is the
Bulgarian Telecommunications Company. This list is compiled based
on information identified by the IASC Secretariat in published
annual reports. In order to qualify for the list, the auditors’
report of the organization, as well as its summary of accounting
policies, or notes must state that the financial statements conform
to IAS without qualification. The address of the internet site
publishing the list is http:/www.iasc.org.uk/frame/cen1_7.htm
The external audit for 1999 was commissioned to
KPMG. Their independent opinion and CSD’s financial statements
follow.
In 1999, CSD employed 52 staff members of which 32
were management and professional, including part-time consultants,
and 17 were support personnel.
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