Leverage data and automation to transform audit

Digital transformation means ensuring we have digital audit capability that is ready to transform public sector auditing in NSW. We will do this through providing fit-for-purpose tools and technology, upskilling our people, creating a culture of innovation and optimising our governance and processes to support adaptation to new approaches – all while ensuring we protect our data in a changing digital landscape.

Alignment with strategic goals 

1. Technology is fundamentally changing how governments deliver programs and services. Our audits should be digitally enabled to provide relevant and timely oversight in this context. Digital tools and automation can improve audit efficiency, effectiveness, and impact – leading to stronger public sector accountability and public value creation.
2. Cyber security threats and AI-driven risks are increasing. The use of analytics and data-driven insights improve our auditors’ ability to review government operations, identifying risks and deepening their stakeholder understanding.
3. By leveraging data and technology we can provide comprehensive audit assurance, generate more insights, inform effective decision making and deliver impactful audits for our stakeholders.

Initiatives

• Deliver a Digital Audit Strategy to embed consideration and use of data analytics and systems assurance in our financial statements and performance audit workflows, as well as standardise audit analytics solutions in financial statements audits.
• Evolve our audit practices – ensuring we advance in step with the digital transformation of the sector, foster a culture of safe and responsible use of AI while enhancing our ability to identify trends and streamline operations.
• Continuously enhance our systems and processes to deliver efficiency, fosterinnovation, and ensure we remain responsive to evolving business needs and the changing digital landscape.
• Build on our already strong data governance and enhance our target maturity.

Success measures

• Consideration and use of data is embedded in financial and performance audits.
• Standardised audit analytics solutions are embedded in financial audits.
• Two internal business process improvements implemented each year.
• Enhance data governance to target maturity.
• Annual audit fees increase consistent with CPI (excluding scope variations).