International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions
File:International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions logo.png | |
Abbreviation | INTOSAI |
---|---|
Formation | 1953 |
Type | IGO |
Headquarters | Vienna, Austria |
Secretary General | Margit Kraker[1] |
Website | www |
The International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) is an intergovernmental organization whose members are supreme audit institutions. Nearly every supreme audit institution in the world is a member of INTOSAI. Depending on the type of system used in their home country, the members of INTOSAI may be variously titled the Chief Financial Controller, the Office of the Comptroller General, the Office of the Auditor General, the Court of Accounts, or the Board of Audit. INTOSAI holds a triennial conference entitled the International Congress of Supreme Audit Institutions (INCOSAI).[2] It publishes the quarterly International Journal of Government Auditing and publishes guidelines and international standards on auditing.
History
INTOSAI was founded in 1953[3] in Havana, Cuba.[4] Thirty-four audit organizations formed the group originally and as of 2010 the current membership includes 193 institutions (188 national institutions, the European Court of Auditors and 4 associated members).[3] The members of INTOSAI are the primary external auditors of the United Nations.[4] The UN's General Assembly appoints the UN Board of Auditors (3 members appointed for 6 years) among the INTOSAI member representatives.[5]
International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions
The International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) are a benchmark for auditing public entities (External Audit Standards for public entities). The "INTOSAI Auditing Standards" had been approved by the INCOSAI in 1998 and updated in 2001. In its strategic plan 2005–2010, the INTOSAI decided to "provide an up-to-date framework of professional standards", so the INTOSAI Professional Standards Committee decided to merge the existing and new INTOSAI standards and guidelines into a framework. The framework comprises all documents endorsed by INCOSAI with the purpose of guiding the professional standards used by SAIs The list of ISSAIs is in the table below:
- Auditing Standards (ISSAI-numbers of 3 digits) stipulate general principles and postulates for carrying out the audit work;
- Implementation Guidelines (ISSAI-numbers of 4 digits) give more detailed guidance, practical assistance to SAIs in implementing the Standards in their individual constituents.
Hierarchical level of the text | ISSAI series | Name | Notes and Links www |
---|---|---|---|
Level 1: Founding Principles | ISSAI 1 | The Lima Declaration (endorsed 1977) | Comprehensive precepts on auditing in the public sector| |
Level 2: Prerequisites | ISSAI 10-40 | Prerequisites for the Functioning of Supreme Audit Institutions | * The 'ISSAI 30' Code of Ethics is the statement of values and principles guiding the daily work of the auditors. One of the principles outlined in the Code of Ethics is the statutory auditor’s obligation to apply generally accepted auditing standards. (not to be mistaken with the AICPA's Generally accepted auditing standards)| |
Level 3: Fundamental Auditing Principles | ISSAI 100-400 | Basic Principles, General Standards, Field Standards (endorsed 2001), and Reporting Standards | |
Level 4: Auditing Guidelines | ISSAI 1000-1810 | Financial Audit Guidelines | Financial_Audit_Guidelines_E.pdf |
ISSAI 3000-3100 | Performance Audit Guidelines | ||
ISSAI 4000-4200 | Compliance Audit Guidelines | ||
ISSAI 5000-5010 | Guidelines on auditing International Institutions | ||
ISSAI 5100-5140 | Guidelines on Environmental Audit | ||
ISSAI 5200-5240 | Guidelines on Privatisation | ||
ISSAI 5300-5399 | guidelines on IT-audit | ||
ISSAI 5400-5499 | Guidelines on Audit of Public Debt | ||
ISSAI 5500-5599 | Guidelines on Audit of Disaster-related Aid | ||
ISSAI 5600-5699 | Guidelines on Peer Reviews | ||
Guidance for Good governance | INTOSAI GOVs 9100 - 9230 | Internal Control and Accounting Standards | www.issai.org/media(891,1033)/Internal_Control_Standards.pdf |
Public-sector audit types
Financial Audit
Financial audit focuses on determining whether an entity’s financial information is presented in accordance with the applicable financial reporting and regulatory framework. This is accomplished by obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence to enable the auditor to express an opinion as to whether the financial information is free from material misstatement due to fraud or error.
Performance Audit
Performance audit focuses on whether interventions, programmes and institutions are performing in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness and whether there is room for improvement. Performance is examined against suitable criteria, and the causes of deviations from those criteria or other problems are analysed. The aim is to answer key audit questions and to provide recommendations for improvement.
Compliance Audit
Compliance audit focuses on whether a particular subject matter is in compliance with authorities identified as criteria. Compliance auditing is performed by assessing whether activities, financial transactions and information are, in all material respects, in compliance with the authorities which govern the audited entity. These authorities may include rules, laws and regulations, budgetary resolutions, policy, established codes, agreed terms or the general principles governing sound public sector financial management and the conduct of public officials.
Publications
- Guidelines for Internal Control Standards for the Public Sector (1992 - The current text is the 2004 revision by the INTOSAI Internal Control Standards Committee, approved by the XVIIIth INCOSAI of October 2004. It has been subsequently integrated in the INTOSAI standards/guidances as "INTOSAI GOV 9100"). It relies upon the COSO's integrated framework for internal control (as stated in the preface), and uses the COSO's definition of Internal Control and IIA's definition of Internal Audit.
- Guidelines on Best Practice for the Audit of Privatizations, (1998)
- Guidance for Planning an Audit of Internal Controls for Public Debt, (2002)
Adoption by intergovernmental organizations
In addition to the INTOSAI members (the Supreme Audit Institutions), the following intergovernmental organizations have adopted INTOSAI AS:
- Council of Europe
- European Communities
- The European Court of Auditors performs its audits in accordance with the IFAC and INTOSAI Auditing Standards and Codes of ethics, in so far as these are applicable in the European Community context.[6]
- European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
- Audit by two appointed Supreme Audit Institutions.
- European Space Agency
- Audit by an Audit Board composed of Supreme Audit Institutions auditors.
- EUMETSAT
- Audit by an appointed Supreme Audit Institution.
- International Criminal Police Organization
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Audit by a Supreme Audit Institution.
- The United Nations
- The United Nations' Board of Auditors (the external audit of the UN) has adopted the ISAs[7] (International Standards on Auditing). The Board is composed of three Supreme Audit Institutions chairmen, familiar with and usually using the INTOSAI Auditing Standards.[8]
INTOSAI and Internal Audit
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is among the five associated members of the INTOSAI.[9] The INTOSAI is a strong advocate for the establishment of Independent Internal audit in public entities.
- ISSAI 1610 – Using the Work of Internal Auditors
- INTOSAI Guidance for Good governance: INTOSAI GOVs 9100–9230
The guidance "INTOSAI GOV 9100" states:
- (page 46) "The Supreme Audit Institution also has a vested interest in ensuring that strong internal audit units exist where needed. Those audit units constitute an important element of internal control by providing a continuous means for improving an organisation's operations. In some countries, however, the internal audit units may lack independence, be weak, or be non-existent. In those cases, the SAI should, whenever possible, offer assistance and guidance to establish and develop those capacities and to ensure the independence of the internal auditor's activities."
- "The creation of an internal audit unit as part of the internal control system is a strong signal by management that internal control is important. ... For an internal audit function to be effective, it is essential that the internal audit staff be independent from management, work in an unbiased, correct and honest way and that they report directly to the highest level of authority within the organisation. ... "For professional guidance, internal auditors should use the Professional Practices Framework (PPF) of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) (...) Additionally, internal auditors should follow the INTOSAI Code of Ethics".
Regional working groups
- AFROSAI: African Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions
- ARABOSAI: Arab Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions
- ASOSAI: Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions
- CAROSAI: Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions
- EUROSAI: European Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions
- OLACEFS: Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Supreme Audit Institutions
- PASAI: Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions
List of INTOSAI Conferences
Memberships
The following supreme audit institution are members of INTOSAI:[9]
Full Members
- File:Flag of Albania.svg Albania: State Supreme Audit (Albania)
- File:Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Andorra.svg Andorra: Tribunal de Comptes
- File:Flag of Angola.svg Angola: Tribunal de Contas de Angola
- File:Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina: Auditoría General de la Nación
- File:Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia: Chamber of Audit
- File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia: Australian National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Austria.svg Austria: Rechnungshof
- File:Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Azerbaijan: Chamber of Accounts
- File:Flag of the Bahamas.svg Bahamas: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Bahrain.svg Bahrain: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh: Comptroller and Auditor General
- File:Flag of Barbados.svg Barbados: Auditor General's Office
- File:Flag of Belarus.svg Belarus: State Control Committee
- File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium: Court of Audit of Belgium
- File:Flag of Belize.svg Belize: The Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Benin.svg Benin: Chambre des Comptes de la Cour Suprême
- File:Flag of Bhutan.svg Bhutan: Royal Audit Authority
- File:Flag of Bolivia.svg Bolivia: Contraloría General del Estado
- File:Flag of Botswana.svg Botswana: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil: Tribunal de Contas da União
- File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria: Chamber of Audit
- File:Flag of Cape Verde.svg Cape Verde: Tribunal de Contas
- File:Flag of Cambodia.svg Cambodia: National Audit Authority of Cambodia
- File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada: Auditor General of Canada
- File:Flag of the Central African Republic.svg Central African Republic: Inspection Général d’État
- File:Flag of Chile.svg Chile: Comptroller General of Chile
- File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia: Contraloria General de la República
- File:Flag of the Comoros.svg Comoros: Cour Suprême – Section des Comptes des Comores
- File:Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rica: Contraloria General de la República
- File:Flag of Côte d'Ivoire.svg Ivory Coast: Cour des Comptes de Côte d'Ivoire
- File:Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia: Drzavni Ured za Reviziju
- File:Flag of Cuba.svg Cuba: Contraloría General de la República de Cuba
- File:Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus: Audit Office of the Republic
- File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic: Supreme Audit Office
- File:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark: Rigsrevisionen
- File:Flag of Djibouti.svg Djibouti: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Dominica.svg Dominica: Audit Department
- File:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Dominican Republic: Cámara de Cuentas de la República Dominicana
- File:Flag of Egypt.svg Egypt: Central Auditing Organization
- File:Flag of Eritrea.svg Eritrea: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Finland.svg Finland: National Audit Office of Finland
- File:Flag of France.svg France: Court of Audit
- File:Flag of Gabon.svg Gabon: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of The Gambia.svg Gambia: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Ghana.svg Ghana: Ghana Audit Service
- File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany: Bundesrechnungshof
- File:Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia: State Audit Office of Georgia
- File:Flag of Greece.svg Greece: Court of Audit
- File:Flag of Grenada.svg Grenada: Audit Department
- File:Flag of Guatemala.svg Guatemala: Contraloría General de Cuentas
- File:Flag of Guinea.svg Guinea: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Guinea-Bissau: Tribunal de Contas
- File:Flag of Guyana.svg Guyana: The Audit Office of Guyana
- File:Flag of Haiti.svg Haiti: Cour Supérieure CCA
- File:Flag of Honduras.svg Honduras: Tribunal Superior de Cuentas
- File:Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary: Allami Számvevöszék
- File:Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland: Rikisendurskodun
- File:Flag of India.svg India: Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia: Audit Board of Indonesia
- File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran: Supreme Audit Court
- File:Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq: Federal Board of Supreme Audit
- File:Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland: Comptroller and Auditor General
- File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel: State Comptroller of Israel
- File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy: Court of Audit
- File:Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaica: Audit Department
- File:Flag of Japan.svg Japan: Board of Audit
- File:Flag of Jordan.svg Jordan: Audit Bureau of Jordan
- File:Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan: Accounts Committee
- File:Flag of Kenya.svg Kenya: Kenya National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Kiribati.svg Kiribati: Kiribati National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Kosovo.svg Kosovo: National Audit Office of Kosovo
- File:Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait: State Audit Bureau
- File:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg Kyrgyzstan: The Accounts Chamber of the Kyrgyz Republic
- File:Flag of Laos.svg Laos: State Audit Organization
- File:Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia: Latvijas Republikas Valsts kontrole
- File:Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Lesotho.svg Lesotho: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Liberia 23px.svg Liberia: General Auditing Commission
- File:Flag of Libya.svg Libya: Libyan Audit Bureau
- File:Flag of Liechtenstein.svg Liechtenstein: Finanzkontrolle des Fürstentums Liechtenstein
- File:Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania: Valstybės kontrolė
- File:Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Madagascar.svg Madagascar: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Malawi.svg Malawi: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Malaysia 23px.svg Malaysia: National Audit Department
- File:Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives: Auditor General's Office
- File:Flag of Mali.svg Mali: Contrôle Général des Services Publics
- File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg Marshall Islands: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Mauritania.svg Mauritania: Cour des Comptes de la République Islamique de Mauritanie
- File:Flag of Mauritius.svg Mauritius: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico: Superior Auditor of the Federation
- File:Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia.svg Federated States of Micronesia: Office of the Public Auditor
- File:Flag of Moldova.svg Moldova: Curtea de Conturi
- File:Flag of Monaco.svg Monaco: Commission Supérieure des Comptes
- File:Flag of Mongolia.svg Mongolia: Mongolian National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Montenegro.svg Montenegro: State Audit Institution of Montenegro
- File:Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Mozambique.svg Mozambique: Tribunal Administrativo
- File:Flag of Myanmar.svg Myanmar: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia: Office of the Auditor-General
- File:Flag of Nauru.svg Nauru: Department of Audit
- File:Flag of Nepal.svg Nepal: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands: Court of Audit
- File:Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand: Office of the Auditor-General
- File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg Nicaragua: Consejo Superior de la Contraloría General
- File:Flag of Niger.svg Niger: Cour des comptes
- File:Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria: Office of the Auditor General for the Federation
- File:Flag of North Macedonia.svg North Macedonia: Drzaven zavod za revizija
- File:Flag of Norway.svg Norway: Office of the Auditor General of Norway
- File:Flag of Oman.svg Oman: State Audit Institution
- File:Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan: Auditor General of Pakistan
- File:Flag of Palau.svg Palau: Office of the Public Auditor
- File:Flag of Palestine.svg Palestine: State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau
- File:Flag of Panama.svg Panama: Contraloría General de la República de Panamá
- File:Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Papua New Guinea: Auditor General's Office
- File:Flag of Paraguay.svg Paraguay: Contraloría General de la República
- File:Flag of Peru.svg Peru: Contraloria General de la República
- File:Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines: Commission on Audit of the Philippines
- File:Flag of Poland.svg Poland: Supreme Audit Office
- File:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal: Court of Auditors
- File:Flag of Qatar.svg Qatar: State Audit Bureau
- File:Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg Republic of the Congo: Cour des Comptes et de Discipline Budgétaire
- File:Flag of Romania.svg Romania: Court of Audit
- File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia: Accounts Chamber of Russia
- File:Flag of Rwanda.svg Rwanda: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg Saint Kitts and Nevis: The Audit Office
- File:Flag of Saint Lucia.svg Saint Lucia: Office of the Director of Audit
- File:Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa: Samoa Audit Office
- File:Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe.svg São Tomé and Príncipe: Tribunal de Contas
- File:Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia: General Court of Audit
- File:Flag of Senegal.svg Senegal: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia: Drzavna revizorska institucija
- File:Flag of Seychelles.svg Seychelles: The Audit Department
- File:Flag of Sierra Leone.svg Sierra Leone: Audit Service Sierra Leone
- File:Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore: Auditor General's Office
- File:Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia: Najvyšši kontrolný úrad Slovenskej republiky
- File:Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia: Court of Audit of Slovenia
- File:Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg Solomon Islands: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Somalia.svg Somalia: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa: Auditor-General of South Africa
- File:Flag of South Korea.svg Republic of Korea: Board of Audit and Inspection
- File:Flag of South Sudan.svg South Sudan: National Audit Chamber
- File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain: Court of Auditors
- File:Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Audit Office
- File:Flag of Sudan.svg Sudan: National Audit Chamber
- File:Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname: Rekenkamer van Suriname
- File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden: Swedish National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland: Eidgenössische Finanzkontrolle
- File:Flag of Syria.svg Syria: The Central Organization of Financial Control
- File:Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan: Control Yuan
- File:Flag of Tajikistan.svg Tajikistan: Accounts Chamber of the Republic of Tajikistan
- File:Flag of Tanzania.svg Tanzania: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand: State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand
- File:Flag of East Timor.svg Timor-Leste: Tribunal de Recurso
- File:Flag of Togo (3-2).svg Togo: La Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Tonga.svg Tonga: Audit Department
- File:Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Trinidad and Tobago: Auditor General's Department
- File:Flag of Tunisia.svg Tunisia: Cour des Comptes
- File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey: Court of Accounts
- File:Flag of Tuvalu.svg Tuvalu: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Uganda.svg Uganda: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine: Accounting Chamber
- File:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates: State Audit Institution
- File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom: National Audit Office
- File:Flag of the United States (23px).png United States: Government Accountability Office
- File:Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay: Tribunal de Cuentas de la República
- File:Flag of Vanuatu.svg Vanuatu: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Vatican City (2023–present).svg Vatican City: Officium Recognitoris Generalis
- File:Flag of Venezuela.svg Venezuela: Contraloría General de la República
- File:Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam: State Audit Office of Vietnam
- File:Flag of Yemen.svg Yemen: Central Organization for Control and Auditing
- File:Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia: Office of the Auditor General
- File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Zimbabwe: Office of the Auditor General
Supranational Organisations
Associate Members
- Association des Institutions Supérieures de Contrôle Ayant en Commun l'usage du français (AISCCUF)
- Court of Audit of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA)
- Organization of SAIs of Portuguese Speaking Countries (OISC/CPLP)
- The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
- World Bank
See also
- Government performance auditing
- CGAP: Institute of Internal Auditors#Other certificates offered by the IIA
- INTOSAI Development Initiative
- Negative assurance and Positive assurance
- UNMAI
References
- ↑ "Margit Kraker". International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
- ↑ Shah, Anwar (2007), Performance Accountability and Combating Corruption (PDF), Washington, D.C., U.S.: World Bank, p. 309, ISBN 978-0821369418, OCLC 77116846
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hussey, Roger; Ong, Audra Wei Ming (2006), International Financial Reporting Standards Desk Reference, Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, p. 289, ISBN 978-0-471-72715-6, OCLC 57573800
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Franda, Marcus F. (2006), The United Nations in the Twenty-first Century: Management and Reform Processes in a Troubled Organization, Lanham, Maryland, U.S.: Rowman & Littlefield, p. 219, ISBN 978-0-7425-5334-7, OCLC 62895793
- ↑ "United Nations Board of Auditors".
- ↑ "Audit". Archived from the original on 14 October 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ↑ "United Nations Board of Auditors".
- ↑ The INTOSAI Financial Audit Guidelines will be based on the International Standards on Auditing (ISA) issued by the IAASB http://www.afrosai-e.org.za/HOME/Menu/TechnicalAdvancement/INTOSAIauditingstandards/tabid/82/Default.aspx
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Official membership list https://www.intosai.org/about-us/members
External links
- A draft framework of ISSAI standards: www.afrosai-e.org.za
- INTOSAI Marks 50 Years International Journal of Government Auditing January 2003