Building on our reputation as a source of trusted information
We want to build on our reputation as a source of trusted information about public sector performance and accountability. We need to do more to communicate our work to target audiences to ensure that it has impact, and for us to be seen as an independent source of truth on matters of public sector performance and accountability.
In 2023/24, our work will focus on:
- continuing our regular reports; and
- raising our profile.
1. Our regular reports
Each year, we consolidate the results of our annual audits in central government, local government, and other sectors. We publish the main findings from these audits in sector reports or letters and use them to advise select committees, keep the public informed, and plan our work programme. We also report on the results of our annual audit of the Government’s financial statements.
| Planned work: Sector reports |
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In 2023/24, we plan to prepare reports about the latest completed audits in these sectors:
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In combination with our annual audits, we carry out appropriation audits of government departments. We also carry out monitoring procedures on public expenditure, in keeping with a Memorandum of Understanding we have with the Treasury. Through this work, we check that government expenditure is within the authority provided by Parliament. We report our findings and conclusions to the Treasury throughout the year in monthly Controller reports.
Our sector report on the central government audits includes the work carried out under our Controller function for the financial year, along with our findings and conclusions. We also produce an interim report on our half-year findings (our work from 1 July to 31 December of each year) and various reports on matters of interest.
| Planned work: Half-year Controller update |
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Our Controller function is a core part of our role. It provides assurance to Parliament and the public about whether the Government has incurred expenditure as authorised by Parliament. We report publicly on our work. In 2023/24, we will provide our regular half-year Controller update, which provides an account of our work and findings for the first six months of 2023/24. We may also publish Controller reports on other matters of interest and summarise findings for the year in the annual report on central government audits. |
2. Leveraging our knowledge and reputation
We want to increase our impact by actively sharing our knowledge and that of other experts with the broader public sector.
| Planned work: Support for audit and risk committees |
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We will continue our focus on engaging with audit, risk, and assurance committees (including convening Audit and Risk Committee Chairs’ Forums about eight times a year, covering topics relevant to local and central government). We will also continue to support a new Parliament in its scrutiny function, brief councils on our role, on good governance, and on good practice, and regularly attend audit and risk meetings in larger public organisations. |
We are always looking for ways to bring to Parliament and the public increased visibility and transparency on topics of current concern involving public organisations. In recent years, we have been focusing more on topical issues and working to provide our reports more quickly, so they are more proximate to the issues and are useful for public organisations trying to improve their performance. Our work on personal protective equipment, the nationwide roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme, and the Wage Subsidy Scheme are all examples of where this has been successful.
In 2023/24, we want to keep building on what we have learned from this work and pilot a new type of performance audit work – a rapid audit.
These rapid audits will be a shorter, quicker form of performance audit and complement our other inquiry and performance audit work by providing a timelier way of reporting facts on emerging and topical issues. They will support Parliamentary scrutiny of issues as they emerge and provide the public with a means of getting a better understanding of the issue. Designed to be fast (reporting on an issue after about 12 weeks) the work will focus on setting out facts supported by good evidence to clarify or provide insight.
Other Supreme Audit Institutions, such as those in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and France, have started doing this type of work and have covered topics such as Covid-19 responses and supply of strategic reserves. We will look to learn from these examples when scoping our work.
| Planned work: Two pilot rapid audits (topics to be confirmed) |
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In 2023/24, we plan to carry out two pilot rapid audits. Although the topics are still to be decided, we will look to have a value-for-money focus in at least one of these pilots. The form of the work will depend on the topic and could range from desk-based research to specific case studies. The rapid audits may also be designed to support more longer-term performance audit or inquiry work. |
In 2022/23, we have run a speaker series for public servants on matters of concern to the Office, such as integrity and performance reporting. These sessions have attracted many hundreds of public servants.
In 2023/24, we will continue to use our “What good looks like” speaker series and other events to share good practice.
| Planned work: “What good looks like” speaker series |
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We will continue our quarterly speaker series, where we host online and in-person events with a range of speakers and panellists from the public and private sectors who share their good practice experience and processes. |