NCJ Number
66845
Journal
Internal Auditor Volume: 35 Issue: 5 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 60-68
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE POSSIBLE FUNCITONS OF INTERNAL AUDITORS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF FINANCIAL TRANACTIONS IN THE QUICKLY EXPANDING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, POLITICIANS AND TAXPAYERS ARE FREQUENTLY UNAWARE OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION AND ONGOING WASTE. INTERNAL AUDITORS, WHO (CONTRARY TO EXTERNAL AUDITORS) ARE PART OF THE MANAGEMENT TEAM, CAN PERFORM AT LEAST EIGHT MAJOR SERVICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THESE INCLUDE MONITORING THE APPLICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND DIRECTIVES, EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS, AND CONFIRMING THE EXISTENCE OF ASSETS WITH A VIEW TOWARD PREVENTING OR DISCOVERING FRAUD. OTHER TASKS ARE CHECKING THE AUTHENTICITY, COMPLETENESS, AND FAIRNESS OF ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DATA, AND ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES. MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH NUMEROUS FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT PROGRAMS, PROVIDING TRAINING GROUND FOR MANAGEMENT-ORIENTED PERSONNEL, AND HANDLING CERTAIN NONRECURRING PROBLEMS THAT REQUIRE AN INVESTIGATIVE APPROACH ARE ADDITIONAL SERVICES. INTERNAL AUDITORS CAN PERFORM VARIOUS KINDS OF AUDITING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. FIRST, THE FINANCIAL AND COMPLIANCE AUDIT DETERMINES WHETHER FINANCIAL OPERATIONS ARE PROPERLY CONDUCTED, WHETHER FINANCIAL REPORTS OF AN AUDITED ENTITY ARE PRESENTED FAIRLY, AND WHETHER THE ENTITY HAS COMPLIED WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. SECOND, THE EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY AUDIT DETERMINES WHETHER THE ENTITY IS MANAGING ITS RESOURCES (PERSONNEL, PROPERTY, SPACE, ETC.) IN AN ECONOMICAL AND EFFICIENT MANNER. THIRD, THE PROGRAM RESULTS AUDIT DETERMINES WHETHER THE DESIRED RESULTS ARE BEING ACHIEVED, WHETHER THE OBJECTIVES ESTABLISHED BY THE LEGISLATURE ARE MET, AND WHETHER THE AGENCY HAS CONSIDERED ALTERNATIVES WHICH MIGHT YIELD DESIRED RESULTS AT LOWER COST. (SAJ)