Acting Auditor General releases service plan

COVID-19 will have some impact on the nature and timing of the office’s work

ACTING Auditor General Russ Jones has released the Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia’s 2020-21 to 2022-23 service plan, outlining the goals and strategies for the coming fiscal year, and how the office will measure its progress.

“I am pleased to share our service plan for 2020-21. This plan is our roadmap for continuing our high-quality audit work over the next year,” Jones said. “It describes who we are, what we do and how we provide value to the legislature and the public service, and thus serve the broader public interest and make a significant impact on the province.”

The service plan reaffirms the office’s purpose, goals, objectives and performance measures each year. Compared to last year, the office’s goals, objectives and performance measures remain unchanged.

The office primarily conducts financial and performance audits. It produces the annual audit opinion on government’s summary financial statements, which encompasses financial statements from nearly 150 public-sector organizations and ministries. The office’s performance audits are value-for-money audits that assess the efficiency, economy and effectiveness of provincial programs, services and resources.

The service plan is part of the office’s overall performance management framework, which includes its annual report, strategic plan and audit coverage plans. The service plan updates the office’s intended actions for the coming fiscal year. The progress from the past fiscal year is reported in the office’s annual report. The office’s financial and performance audit coverage plans identify the work it intends to start over the next three fiscal years.

This plan reflects the office’s current priorities, but, like any plan, are subject to change. B.C. is in the midst of a public health crisis and it’s expected that COVID-19 will have some impact on the nature and timing of the office’s work. A new auditor general will start work in July. As has been the case in the past, the office will update next year’s plans with any changes that are made.

The service plan and the current coverage plans are available on the Office of the Auditor General’s website at: https://www.bcauditor.com/