The Performance Audit Subcommittee of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) held its 17th annual meeting in Budapest on 24–25 March. The two-day event, chaired by the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General of Ireland and organized by the State Audit Office of Hungary (SAO), was attended by more than 50 audit professionals. Audit experts from nearly 30 countries gathered at the two-day forum to explore ways to improve the performance of audit offices, in part through the use of artificial intelligence.
The two-day event focused on the objectives of INTOSAI’s Strategic Development Plan for 2023–2028, with particular emphasis on improving efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on the work of supreme audit institutions (SAIs).
The INTOSAI Performance Audit Subcommittee (PAS) is one of the international organisation’s four professional subcommittees. Its mission is to develop and monitor the principles and methodology of performance auditing in the public sector. The subcommittee currently has 37 member SAIs, and is chaired by the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General of Ireland.
In his opening remarks, President Dr. László Windisch emphasized that measuring the performance of the public sector has become increasingly important in the work of audit offices. He noted that, in addition to legality, expediency and effectiveness are also receiving greater emphasis during audits. Regarding one of the event’s main themes – the growing importance of artificial intelligence – he explained that adjustments are needed in both audit methodology and competencies, while continuing to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and the public interest. He emphasized that AI cannot replace auditors and their findings, but it can significantly support their work.
In his welcoming speech, Seamus McCarthy, the Irish Chair of the INTOSAI PAS, highlighted the organisation’s important role in auditing the public sector and supporting INTOSAI, and praised the growth in membership, with Poland, Belgium, and Namibia most recently joining the subcommittee.
On the first day, more than 50 experts participating in the forum shared their experience regarding the implementation of new standards and principles related to the 2023–2028 Strategic Development Plan, as well as opportunities for improving audit performance. Presentations were given on the initiatives of INTOSAI’s five-year plan, the results achieved so far, experience from pilot projects, the subcommittee’s work plan, and the activities of the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) in the area of sustainability.
On the second day of the conference, experts discussed from various perspectives, including through case studies, how artificial intelligence can assist auditors in performance audits and sustainability reports, as well as the risks associated with the use of algorithms.