Course Information

Generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS) provide a framework for conducting high quality audits with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence. GAGAS contains standards for audits and requirements and guidance dealing with ethics, independence, auditors’ professional judgment and competence, quality control, performance of the audit, and reporting.

The Governmental Auditing series of courses are separated into three categories:

Course One Fundamental Principles for Government Auditing
Course Two Performance Audits
Course Three Financial Audits and Attestation Engagements

Performance auditing promotes the delivery principle “value for money − public services should be provided economically and efficiently”. It is objective and systematic, applying structured and professionally adopted methodologies. It seeks to provide new knowledge, analysis or insights and, where appropriate, recommendations for improvement by examining the economy, the efficiency and the effectiveness of government programs.

This course (Course Two) covers the core disciplines of performance audits. It describes the features and requirements to provide a basis for good performance audit practices, along with examples to illustrate the application. For instance, it incorporates a flowchart for internal control considerations to assist in applying the requirements. It provides a fraud risk matrix to help auditors determine whether fraud is significant to audit objectives. Finally, it includes samples of audit reports issued under GAGAS.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to enhance the capability and skill level to carry out performance audits, and prepare a report that improves the programs and activities of the audited entity by providing relevant recommendations.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the objective of a performance audit
• Recognize the framework to apply fieldwork standards
• Recognize the auditor’s role in internal control
• Identify the elements of an audit finding
• Identify the auditor’s responsibility for reporting control deficiencies and instances of fraud