We didn't actually overspend our budget. The allocation simply fell short of our expenditure.

-- Keith Davis


  


Budget Module - Unit 5: Parliament and the Audit of Public Accounts
 

Learning Objectives:
What is Parliament's Role in the Audit of Public Accounts?

After studying this unit you should be able to:

  • Recognize different types of supreme audits institutions;
  • Explain some of the different types of public audit systems;
  • Assess your country’s procedures against accepted norms for national audits;
  • Discuss various approaches of parliamentary engagement with the audit process, including the role of committees in reviewing audit reports;
  • Understand the importance of effective follow-up procedures to ensure that audit recommendations are implemented.

 

Introduction

The purpose of this unit is to introduce the function of public audit and the way in which parliament engages with this process. There is growing recognition of the importance that supreme audit institutions play in ensuring accountability and good governance (Pope 2000; O’Donnell 1998). Good linkages of the audit process with parliament are essential for its effectiveness (SIGMA 2002). The following sections look at different types of supreme audit institutions; the different types of audit they produce; how supreme auditors interact with parliaments; the role of parliamentary committees in reviewing audit findings; as well as follow-up mechanisms to ensure that action is taken to address issues raised in audit reports.

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