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A Strategic Vision for Smaller, More Focused Performance Audits

A Strategic Vision for Smaller, More Focused Performance Audits. Colorado Office of the State Auditor. Introductory Comments. Monica Bowers, Deputy State Auditor. Strategic Planning Process. Audit Process Changes Budget and Calendar Issues. Audit Process Changes.

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A Strategic Vision for Smaller, More Focused Performance Audits

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  1. A Strategic Vision forSmaller, More Focused Performance Audits ColoradoOffice of theState Auditor

  2. Introductory Comments • Monica Bowers, Deputy State Auditor

  3. Strategic Planning Process • Audit Process Changes • Budget and Calendar Issues Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  4. Audit Process Changes • Sarah Aurich, Legislative Audit Manager

  5. Audit Process Changes Goal:Achieve smaller, more focused performance audits. Solution:Changes in key areas of the audit process. • Planning and scope development • Fieldwork Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  6. Planning and Scope Development Action: Identify “core” audit questions quickly. • Meet with the audit requestor • Define objectives early on • Split large audits into smaller series of reports • FOCUSS brainstorming meeting Result: Shorter and more focused planning and scope development phase. Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  7. Meet with Audit Requestor Requested Audit: An audit that is requested by someone outside of the State Auditor’s Office (e.g., legislators). • Understand the request • Understand the desired outcome and timeline (if applicable) • Determine if what is requested meets standards for an audit. Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  8. Define Objectives Early On • Make decisions early about the audit objectives. • Make decisions about audit objectives without having nailed down 100% of the details. • Understand that objectives can be revised as you go along if additional information surfaces during the audit process. Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  9. Split Large Projects into a Series Large audits covering multiple aspects of agencies or programs can be overwhelming/difficult to manage. Examples: • Mental Health • Regional Transportation District • America Recovery and Reinvestment Act Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  10. FOCUSS Process Focus on the Concerns and Understand the Scope Statement • Limit time spent in scope/planning phase • Leverage existing expertise • Focus on audit objectives based on risk KEY TO RESULTS: Come to the FOCUSS session ready to make decisions and realize that the audit scope can be adjusted in the future based on any new information discovered. Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  11. Fieldwork Action: Ongoing evaluation and assessment to discuss the results of fieldwork and revisit the scope, work plan, and budget. • Team brainstorming meetings • Meetings with senior management at key points during audit process. • Other mechanisms (e.g., audit topic suggestions, referrals, revise scope and budget) Result: Ensure audit is staying on schedule and remaining within scope. Result: Complete projects on time and within budget. Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  12. Budget and Calendar Issues • Jenny Page, Legislative Audit Manager

  13. Budget and Calendar Goals • Scopes ≤ 2,500 hours • Audits ≤ 9 months • Meet budget 80% of the time Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  14. Criteria for Success • 2,500 hour goal • % of audits with approved scopes of 2,500 hours or less. CY 2009 Result: 69% had budgets of ≤ 2,500 hours. CY 2010 Result: 67% had budgets of ≤ 2,500 hours. • % of audits completed within 2,500 hours. CY 2009 Result: 44% were completed within 2,500 hours CY 2010 Result: 83% were completed within 2,500 hours Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  15. Criteria for Success • 9 month goal • Set consistent begin and end dates CY 2009 Result: Average of 9.7 months CY 2010 Result: Average of 9.4 months Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  16. Criteria for Success • 80% target goal • Based on approved budget CY 2009 Result: 31% of performance audits were completed within budget. CY 2010 Result: 67% of performance audits were completed within budget. Colorado Office of the State Auditor We set the standard for good government.

  17. QUESTIONS?

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