A supreme audit institution is an independent national-level institution which conducts audits of government activities.[1][2] Most supreme audit institutions are established in their country's constitution, and their mandate is further refined in national legislation.[3] Supreme audit institutions play an important role in providing oversight and accountability in a country by monitoring the use of public funds and reviewing the quality and accuracy of government financial reporting.[4] They also contribute to anti-corruption efforts.[5] Depending on the country, a supreme audit institution may be called a court of audit (common in Europe and its former colonies), auditor-general (common in the Anglosphere) or the board of audit (in some Asian countries). Nearly every supreme audit institution in the world is a member of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, which works to establish and disseminate international standards and good practices.[6]
In some countries, such as with Taiwan's Control Yuan, the audit institution may constitute a separate, independent branch of government in addition to the more typical executive, legislative and judicial branches.
- ^ "External Audit – Supreme Audit Institutions - OECD". www.oecd.org. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ "Features and functions of supreme audit institutions" (PDF). The World Bank.
- ^ Blume, Lorenz; Voigt, Stefan (22 July 2010). "Does organizational design of supreme audit institutions matter? A cross-country assessment". European Journal of Political Economy. 27 (2): 215–229. doi:10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2010.07.001.
- ^ Stapenhurst, Rick; Titsworth, Jack (June 2002). "Features and Functions of Supreme Audit Institutions" (PDF). World Bank Group.
- ^ Meyers, C. Bernard; Bajpai, Rajni (September 1, 2020). "Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Transparency : The Fight Against Corruption" (PDF). World Bank Group.
- ^ "Full Members - INTOSAI". www.intosai.org. Retrieved 2020-09-25.