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ABOUT US |
The New South Wales Auditor-General is responsible for audits and related services under the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, the Corporations Act 2001, and other New South Wales Acts. The Auditor-General also provides certain assurance services in respect of Commonwealth grants and payments to the State under Commonwealth legislation.
The Auditor-General forms part of the accountability mechanism whereby the Parliament holds the Government accountable for fulfilling its responsibilities. The Audit Office assists the Auditor-General in fulfilling this role.
The Audit Office's core services are:
Financial audits provide an independent opinions on NSW government agencies financial reports. They identify whether agencies comply with accounting standards and relevant laws, regulations and government directions. Additional financial report audits are undertaken each year on the Total State Sector Accounts and the Statement of the Budget Result.
Financial report audits also highlight opportunities for agencies to improve their accounting and financial systems.
A report on each financial audit is provided to the Minister responsible for the agency, to the agency and the Treasurer and to the Parliament through the Auditor-General’s Reports to Parliament.
Compliance reviews seek to confirm that specific legislation, directions and regulations have been adhered to by government agencies. The legislation includes the agency's primary or significant law that is applicable to all agencies (such as the State's Constitution).
Because there is a large body of law in this area, compliance is examined on cyclical basis.
Performance audits determine whether an agency is carrying out activities efficiently, economically and in compliance with the law. These audits may review all or part of an agency’s operations. Some audits consider particular issues across a number of agencies.
Results of these audits are reported to the chief executive officer of the agency concerned, the responsible Minister, the Treasurer and Parliament.
The Office examines allegations of serious and substantial waste of public money under the Protected Disclosures Act 1994. This Act protects public officers ['whistleblowers'] when they identify maladministration, corruption, or serious and substantial waste. We assess any allegations of waste in public authorities other than local governments. The NSW Ombudsman examines maladministration, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption investigates corruption.
During 2007-08, the Office agreed on a new vision, 'To make the people of New South Wales proud of the work we do.'
We deliberately chose to focus on the public, as ultimately we are accountable to them. We must be recognised as an organisation that has the public's interests at heart when we audit government agencies' financial reports and performance.
Equally important is how we behave in our dealings with NSW Parliament, government agencies, the public and each other. For this reason we closely re-examined our values. Following consultation with our staff we agreed on a new set of values that can be summed up as 'professional people with purpose'.
Our Strategic Foundations provide more information on this new direction.
The Office Strategy Group sets direction and strategic priorities and monitors progress with strategic initiatives and key performance measures.
An Office Executive Group ensures the Office achieves its strategic priorities, maintains its services and meets both operational and strategic targets, complies with relevant codes, practices, laws and direction.
There are three branches—financial audit, performance audit and corporate services; and the professional services and Auditor-General's units.
Key personnel can be contacted by phone or e-mail during business hours.
The Audit Office generates revenue in excess of $20 million per annum and has more than 400 clients ranging from large statutory authorities and departments to small subsidiary companies.
The main income of the Office is earned from
financial audit fees with the largest expenditure item being salaries and related
expenses. The Office's performance audit function continues to be partly funded from
financial audit fees.
For further information refer to our annual report.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE - TRIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE AUDIT OFFICE
Every three years, the NSW Parliament's Public Accounts Committee commissions an independent review of the Audit Office under section 48A of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983.
'... the review is to examine the auditing practices and standards of the Auditor-General and to determine whether the Auditor-General is complying with those practices and standards in the carrying out of the Auditor-General's functions under this Act.'
Click here for a copy of the most recent review.
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