Annual audit work plans in government offices are crucial for ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective governance. These strategic blueprints guide auditors in prioritizing areas of highest risk and potential improvement, thus maximizing the impact of limited resources. The plans also enhance public trust by communicating audit focuses and encouraging stakeholder collaboration. Key components include outlining audit work, defining purpose statements, and setting the scope for each audit, ensuring that audits are well-defined, focused, and effectively address significant concerns in government operations. Developing these plans involves reviewing past work, conducting risk assessments, considering stakeholder requests, and incorporating audit staff insights, thereby creating comprehensive, risk-focused plans that promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

We have created a Free Audit Program Builder that can be used by government auditors to create customized audit programs and as a learning tool for new auditors.

With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the interconnectedness of systems, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is no longer optional but a necessity. Recognizing this urgency, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has unveiled the Cybersecurity Program Audit Guide (CPAG), a comprehensive tool designed to aid in the evaluation of agency cybersecurity programs and systems.

In our latest blog post, we delve deep into the Certified Responsible Government Auditor (CRGA) certification, spotlighting its importance in the realm of governmental auditing. As you consider this esteemed credential, we introduce a quiz to test your knowledge of the Government Auditing Standards.

The world of government auditing is both intricate and dynamic. Staying ahead of the curve requires a steadfast commitment to professional development. One tool that is gaining traction among forward-thinking professionals is the Individual Development Plan (IDP). An IDP is a personalized roadmap that outlines an individual's career objectives, strengths, areas for improvement, and the strategies and resources they can leverage to achieve these goals.

Designed to simplify small-dollar transactions, P-Cards expedite purchasing processes, reduce paperwork, and enhance operational efficiency. However, with convenience comes the potential for misuse, necessitating the importance of rigorous purchase card audits.

Parker CPE is excited to announce its collaboration with the Public Sector Audit Institute (PSAI), aiming to reshape the future of government auditing education. This collaboration is poised to roll out an advanced training program tailored for government auditors, preparing them to sit for the Certified Responsible Government Auditor (CRGA) exams, a respected credential that acknowledges the specialized skills required to be a proficient government auditor.

During the course of the pandemic, an innovative collaborative approach known as “Gold Standard” meetings emerged at the federal level. The primary motive was simple yet powerful: incorporate the expertise of the IGs at the inception stage, thereby striking the right balance between efficient results and risks related to fraud, waste, and abuse. All the while still respecting the independence of the IGs.

Unfortunately, GAO does a disservice to auditors by using the term ‘nonaudit’. This had led to confusion among government auditors and the misconception that nonaudit services are any activities that an audit organization provides to an audited entity that do not meet the definition of an audit under GAGAS standards. But it couldn’t be any further from the truth!

Ever wondered how someone ends up committing fraud? Well, it isn't a random decision. There's a theory called the Fraud Triangle that breaks down why someone chooses to act fraudulently. Let's explore this concept in simple terms and how it can help you on an audit.