Note 4: Personnel costs

Accounting policy

Salaries and wages

Salaries and wages are recognised as an expense as employees provide services.

Superannuation schemes

Obligations for contributions to The Auditor-General's Retirement Savings Plan, KiwiSaver, and the Government Superannuation Fund are accounted for as defined contribution plans and are recognised as an expense in the surplus or deficit as incurred.

Breakdown of personnel costs

Actual
2020/21
$000
Actual
2019/20
$000
Salaries and wages 54,489 47,788
Other employee-related costs 1,475 1,351
Employer contributions to defined contribution plans 1,542 1,385
Increase/(decrease) in employee entitlements 664 630
Total personnel costs 58,170 51,154