Audit costs

The provision under audit costs reflected a reduction in the costs of both external and internal audit, reflecting the resource levels recommended by the Board of Auditors and the Office of Internal Oversight Services.

(a) Reviewing the strategy and workplans of internal and, in some organizations, external audit and discussing the scope and content of their audits so as to identify audit priorities and suggesting potential audit areas within which to address the organization's risks

For 2004 the cost of audit services was approximately US 2.1 million.

Audit process

Scope of audit

External audit

Internal audit

b. Parliamentary documentation audit reports on the basis of audits conducted (8)

Under the cost sharing arrangements, it is estimated that approximately one half of external audit costs are expended on the audit of administrative operations and one half on investment operations.

Audit services 10.0

(c) Audit and Inspection

The process of recovery is ongoing and may extend over several years.

18 Operations in Sweden (Regional Office) 31 Jan 05

24 Comparative Review Of The Desk Function 30 May 05

(ii) Audits facilitation of internal and external audits and follow up on the implementation of audit recommendations

The Audit Services Branch will update the checklist for the 2005 audit exercise.

Summary of audited activities and audit reports

Comment by the Administration. The standard time frame for the issuance of audit reports is to be examined as part of the review of its audit procedures.

(a) To follow up on the audit recommendations

The Council shall appoint independent auditors for the purpose of auditing the accounts of the Organization.

The United States delegation wondered whether the lower estimated cost of external audits by the Board of Auditors reflected reduced audit coverage or better audit efficiency.

The reduction of 46,900 in the costs of internal audit is the net effect of the request made by the Office of Internal Oversight Services.

The staffing and resource requirements, funded from overheads, are shown in tables 9 and 10, respectively. At this stage, the number of posts and the level of resources are indicative. The Executive Secretary will approve expenditures based on the actual income.

The audit budget for 2005, including the cost of the resident auditor for the Sudan and Burundi operations, amounts to some US 2.8 million.

(a) Audit services 10 000

The audit certificate accompanying each audited financial statement typically certifies the procedures undertaken in relation to the audit and authenticates the financial statements.

Management summary audit implementation status

B. Technology based audit techniques

Enhanced independence and integrity of the audit institutions ___________

Financial data and reports for audit purposes

OIOS often found that the performance indicators used were unrealistic or not measurable.

The Under Secretary General for Internal Oversight indicated that the support costs were related mainly to auditing services, however, and that investigation services were charged at cost.

Finally, the Group agreed with the Advisory Committee that the oversight bodies' coordination and collaboration in the planning of audit activities was positive and would promote optimal use of audit resources, complementarity of efforts and wider coverage of audit areas.

Note Two dots () signify that data are unavailable.

(ii) Annual audit plan, budget and staffing

Audits should be conducted by an independent body.

Also, the Office of Audit and Performance Review has been reviewing its audit planning methodology with a view to adopting a more formal risk based approach.

(e) Regularity and extent of audit by an independent body

(b) Travel expenses related to the newly established Audit Committee

(d) Assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of internal and external audit services

Greater use should be made of computer assisted audit techniques.

(i) To consider the effectiveness and objectivity of the external audit process

In my view the organisation is well run, a view that is endorsed by a number of independent reviews and accolades on the progress made by the organisation.

OIOS Audit Service