Statistical inaccuracies have been identified in annual reports from the State Government’s troubled Office of the Small Business Commissioner, prompting an audit of financial statements dating back to 2011.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis told parliament today that recently-appointed commissioner John Chapman identified “a number of discrepancies in the statistical information contained in the 2011/12 and the 2012/13 Annual Reports”, commissioning an independent review by auditors Ernst and Young.

“The Ernst and Young report has found that certain statistical data contained in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 annual reports is inaccurate, along with certain statistical data collated in 2013/14,” said Koutsantonis.

“Specifically, I am advised this data contained an overstatement of both the number of enquiries made to the Office of the Small Business Commissioner and reported success rates.”

He said as a result, “my predecessor and I have made statements to the house and provided information to the Legislative Council based on advice provided by the Office Small Business Commissioner, which has now been found to be inaccurate”.

The issues date back to the tenure of inaugural Small Business Commissioner Mike Sinkunas, who resigned last year while under investigation for “alleged improper conduct”.

Koutsantonis told parliament in August there was “an investigation into the conduct of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner towards staff within that office”.

The position was established in 2011 amid great fanfare, with Koutsantonis – then as Small Business Minister – calling it “the biggest shake up of one of the state’s largest industry sectors in a generation”.

The deputy small business commissioner, Frank Zumbo, has also come under scrutiny for his activities in the office of a federal Liberal MP in NSW.