Public Sector Accounting and Budgeting

Public Sector Accounting and Budgeting

Public sector auditing and the challenges of Post-Covid-19: Reviewing the strategies of leading countries national audit offices

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
1 Department of Accounting, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran
2 M. A. in Accounting, Rahbordshomal University, Rasht, Iran
Abstract
The recent epidemic has had a clear and continuous impact on most countries and all sectors of their economy, especially on governments and various institutions. Everyone in the world now knows that this "new norm" requires some transient changes in various sectors at home and abroad, especially the public sector, and also requires research and analysis by the academic community. The main focus of this paper is on the strategic and published objectives that are in the public sector future audit services, and therefore a set of national audit offices (institutions) that have provided the most details of these objectives are used. A number of other national audit offices or similar institutions have been reviewed to identify any significant differences in objectives that result from the effects of the recent illness and the actions taken by governments. Challenges for public sector auditors are how to gain the trust of governments, as well as proving the usefulness and efficiency of audit processes, findings, and recommendations in an environment that is significantly evolving into a "new norm". The present article examines how to adopt or acquire the necessary systems and also to expertise in the effective implementation of the mentioned goals. Both academics and practitioners need to address short-term and long-term frameworks and processes to make a successful transition to this "new norm". 
Keywords

Subjects


ANAO. (2020a). ANAO corporate plan 2020-21. https://www.anao.gov.au/work/corporate/anao-corporate-plan-2020-21.
ANAO. (2020b). Audit quality report 2019-20. https://www.anao.gov.au/ work/corporate/audit-quality-report-2019-20.
ANAO. (2020c). ANAO risk management policy and framework 2019–21; updated 23 June 2020 https://www.anao.gov.au/work/corporate/anao-risk-management-policy-and-framework-2019-21.
Ansell, C., Sorensen, E., & Torfing, J. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic as a game changer for public administration and leadership? The need for robust governance responses to turbulent problems. Public Management Review, 23(7).
AUASB. (2021). Additional Covid-19 FAQs for auditors. https://www.auasb.gov.au/support-resources/additional-covid-19-faqs-for-auditors/.
Bas, S. A. (2020). https://sayistay.gov.tr/en/?p=6&pg=4&CategoryID=5.
Canberrra Times. (2021). https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ 7249602/watchdogs-62m-budget-funding-boost-falls-short-labormp/.
Cordery, C. J., & Hay, D. C. (2021). Public sector audit. Routledge. Cour des comptes. (2021). https://www.ccomptes.fr/en/publications/2021-annual-public-report.
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2021). Digital economy strategy. https://pmc.gov.au/news-centre/domestic-policy/launchdigital-economy-strategy.
Dodaro, G. L. (2020). Addressing Covid-19 implications nationally and globally. International Journal of Government Auditing. http:// intosaijournal.org/addressing-covid-19-implications-nationallyglobally/.
GAO. (2018). GAO 2018–2023 strategic plan. https://www.gao.gov/ products/GAO-18-395SP.
GAO. (2020). Performance and accountability report fiscal year 2020. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-4sp.
Hehir, G. (2020a). Auditor-General’s response to lecture of Professor Roger Simnett https://rsa.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/2021-01/Allan- Barton-Memorial-Research-Lecture-Commentary-by-Grant-Hehir.pdf.
Hehir, G. (2020b). Auditor-General’s mid-term report. https://www.anao. gov.au/work/speeches-and-papers/auditor-general-mid-term-report.
IFAC. (2021). https://www.ifac.org/knowledge-gateway/discussion/covid- 19-response-recovery.
Massey, A. (2021). Editorial: The seamless web of circumstance. Public Money & Management, 41(1).
Mathers, K. (2021). Remote control: Online audit after Covid-19. Public Finance (12 April).
NAO. (2020). The National Audit Office’s five year strategy: 2020 to 2025. https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/nao-strategy- 2020-25.pdf.
Netherlands Court of Audit. (2021). Trust in accountability. Strategy 2021– 25. https://english.rekenkamer.nl/publications/publications/2021/01/ 25/trust-in-accountability—strategy-2021–2025.
NZ Controller and Auditor-General. (2020). The auditor-general’s strategic intentions to 2025. https://oag.parliament.nz/2020/strategicintentions/ index.htm.
Office of the Auditor General of Canada. (2021). https://www1.oag-bvg. gc.ca/internet/English/acc_rpt_e_43696.html.
Rigsrevisionen. (2021). Annual report and accounts 2020. https://uk. rigsrevisionen.dk/Media/D/2/Annual-report-2019.pdf.
Simnett, R. (2020). Maintaining confidence in audit in a changing world. The Allan Barton Memorial Research Lecture. https://rsa.anu.edu.au/ news/2020/cpaa/anu-allan-barton-memorial-research-lecture.
Swedish National Audit Office. (2020). Swedish National Audit Office: Annual audit plan 2020/21. https://www.riksrevisionen.se/download/ 18.38399fa21768410c03a9c14f/1610102135246/RiR%202020-2021% 20Swedish%20National%20Audit%20Office%20Audit%20Plan.pdf.
Swiss Federal Audit Office. (2021). Priorities for 2021. https://www.efk. admin.ch/en/publications/general-communication/annualprogrammes. html.
World Bank. (2020). Role of supreme audit institutions (SAIs) in governments’ response to Covid-19: Emergency and post emergency phases. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33901.

  • Receive Date 30 May 2021
  • Revise Date 20 August 2021
  • Accept Date 07 September 2021