the Accountant General's Department.

Mr. Richardson -- who was assistant Accountant General -- was yesterday named by Governor Thorold Masefield as the new face in charge.

The department takes the lead role in accounting for and reporting on all Government expenditure. It also collects foreign currency purchase tax and stamp duties.

Mr. Richardson, 35, will also take up the role of Government's paymaster -- administering the salaries, wages and health insurance claims and pensions for former and current civil servants and MPs.

The department is also responsible for collecting debts due to Government and ensuring that all other departments stick to the accounting rules.

Mr. Richardson became a chartered accountant in 1990. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1985 and an MA in Finance and Management, with distinction, in 1995.

He also completed the Bermuda Government Senior Management Development programme.

Mr. Richardson has worked in the Accountant General's Department for five years, with three years as a management accountant and two years as the second-in-command.

He is a former Warwick Academy pupil and attended Bermuda College, Acadia University, the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountants and Webster University.

GOVERNMENT GVT