Ordonnateur

Under modern public law, the ordonnateur (Authorizing Officer) is a French administrator who authorises collection of revenue and payment of expenses.

For example, building fortifications would have both military and financial aspects, and it might be unclear who had ultimate authority over trade or justice.

[5] In 1704 André Deslandes arrived in Saint-Domingue as the first ordonnateur of the colony, and in 1705 he established a Superior Council at Cap Français.

[8] The title applies to the heads of national and local government departments and public institutions such as hospitals, educational establishments and resource centers.

[9] Ordonnateurs are financial decision makers, and have sole authority to assess whether an expense should be incurred or a receipt is due.

[11] They determine rights and obligations, clear receipts, issue invoices and authorize expenses and credits where appropriate.

[13] Commitment is the act by which the public body creates or discovers an obligation that will result in a charge, which should normally by settled from the approved budget.

[13] The ordonnateur also sends the comptable orders for collection of payments such as rentals, fines and other non-tax revenue.

By separating the functions of authorization and payment or receipt there is greater control and less temptation to deviate from the rules.

[15] To ensure full separation, the comptable is not subordinate to the ordonnateur, and is ineligible for local election.