Estimates of appropriations

Vote Audit - Finance and Government Administration Sector - Estimates 2018/19

Vote Audit#

APPROPRIATION MINISTER(S): Speaker of the House of Representatives (M78)

APPROPRIATION ADMINISTRATOR: Controller and Auditor-General

RESPONSIBLE MINISTER FOR CONTROLLER AND AUDITOR-GENERAL: Speaker of the House of Representatives

Overview of the Vote#

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is responsible for appropriations in the Vote for 2018/19 covering the following:

  • a total of $9.854 million for the Controller and Auditor-General supporting Parliament in ensuring accountability for the use of public resources. This includes providing advice to select committees and other stakeholders, carrying out the Controller function, and carrying out and reporting on performance audits and inquiries relating to public entities
  • a total of $82.131 million for providing audit services to public entities, and other audit-related assurance services. This is largely funded by fee revenue, but includes $150,000 funded by revenue from the Crown for audits of smaller entities such as cemetery trusts and reserve boards
  • a total of $1.052 million for remuneration expenses for both the Auditor-General and the Deputy Auditor-General, and
  • a total of $1.266 million for the purchase or development of assets for the use of the Controller and Auditor-General.

Details of these appropriations are set out in Parts 2-4.

Details of Appropriations and Capital Injections#

Annual and Permanent Appropriations#

  2017/18 2018/19
Titles and Scopes of Appropriations by Appropriation Type Final
Budgeted
$000
Estimated
Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Departmental Output Expenses

     

Audit and Assurance Services (M78)

This appropriation is limited to audit and related assurance services as required or authorised by statute.
150 150 1,650

Audit and Assurance Services RDA (M78)

This appropriation is limited to audit and related assurance services as required or authorised by statute.
83,202 83,418 80,481

Total Departmental Output Expenses

83,352 83,568 82,131

Departmental Other Expenses

     

Remuneration of Auditor-General and Deputy Auditor-General PLA (M78)

This appropriation is limited to remuneration expenses for both the Auditor-General and the Deputy Auditor-General as authorised by clause 5 of the Third Schedule of the Public Audit Act 2001.
838 838 1,052

Total Departmental Other Expenses

838 838 1,052

Departmental Capital Expenditure

     

Controller and Auditor-General - Capital Expenditure PLA (M78)

This appropriation is limited to the purchase or development of assets by and for the use of the Controller and Auditor-General, as authorised by section 24(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989.
1,163 1,320 1,266

Total Departmental Capital Expenditure

1,163 1,320 1,266

Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure

     

Statutory Auditor Function MCA (M78)

The overarching purpose of this appropriation is to support Parliament in ensuring accountability for the use of public resources.
9,854 9,514 9,854

Departmental Output Expenses

     

Performance Audits and Inquiries

This category is limited to undertaking and reporting on performance audits and inquiries relating to public entities under the Public Audit Act 2001 and responding to requests for approvals in relation to pecuniary interest questions regulated by the Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968.
6,576 6,236 6,576

Supporting Accountability to Parliament

This category is limited to reporting to Parliament and others as appropriate on matters arising from audits and inquiries, reporting to and advising select committees, and advising other agencies in New Zealand and abroad to support Parliament and governing bodies in holding their executives to account for the use of public resources.
3,278 3,278 3,278

Total Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure

9,854 9,514 9,854

Total Annual and Permanent Appropriations

95,207 95,240 94,303

Capital Injection Authorisations#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Controller and Auditor-General - Capital Injection (M78) - - -

Supporting Information#

Part 1 - Vote as a Whole#

This part provides trend information for the vote.

Summary of Financial Activity#

  2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
  Actual
$000
Actual
$000
Actual
$000
Actual
$000
Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated
Actual
$000
Departmental
Transactions
Budget
$000
Non-
Departmental
Transactions
Budget
$000
Total
Budget
$000
Estimated
$000
Estimated
$000
Estimated
$000

Appropriations

                       
Output Expenses 71,756 76,503 77,586 78,915 83,352 83,568 82,131 - 82,131 83,226 89,924 87,096
Benefits or Related Expenses - - - - - - N/A - - - - -
Borrowing Expenses - - - - - - - - - - - -
Other Expenses 923 950 972 1,052 838 838 1,052 - 1,052 1,052 1,052 1,052
Capital Expenditure 1,028 974 1,100 1,432 1,163 1,320 1,266 - 1,266 1,717 1,845 1,184
Intelligence and Security Department Expenses and Capital Expenditure - - - - - - - N/A - - - -
Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure (MCA)                        
Output Expenses 8,800 9,012 9,758 9,524 9,854 9,514 9,854 - 9,854 9,854 9,854 9,854
Other Expenses - - - - - - - - - - - -
Capital Expenditure - - - - - - N/A - - - - -

Total Appropriations

82,507 87,439 89,416 90,923 95,207 95,240 94,303 - 94,303 95,849 102,675 99,186

Crown Revenue and Capital Receipts

                       
Tax Revenue - - - - - - N/A - - - - -
Non-Tax Revenue - - - - - - N/A - - - - -
Capital Receipts - - - - - - N/A - - - - -

Total Crown Revenue and Capital Receipts

- - - - - - N/A - - - - -

Note - where restructuring of the vote has occurred then, to the extent practicable, prior years information has been restated as if the restructuring had occurred before the beginning of the period covered. In this instance Total Appropriations for the Budgeted and Estimated Actual year may not equal Total Appropriations in the Details of Appropriations and Capital Injections.

Adjustments to the Summary of Financial Activity Table Due to Vote Restructuring#

There have been no restructuring adjustments to prior year information reported in last year's Summary of Financial Activity table.

Output expense variations are driven by fluctuations in the amount of audit work completed each year. The financial years ended June 2015, 2018 and 2021 are higher as these years include the triennial audits of Local Authorities' long-term plans. During 2015/16, costs were higher due to deferral of completion of some school audits from 2014/15.

Forecast increases in capital expenditure reflect future investment in the Office's core software systems.

1.5 - Relationship between Individual Appropriations and the Work Programmes#

Programme of work Appropriations
Auditing of information reported by public entities about their performance Audit and Assurance Services RDA
Audit and Assurance Services
Providing advice and support for effective Parliamentary scrutiny and monitoring of spending against parliamentary appropriations Statutory Auditor Function MCA (Supporting Accountability to Parliament)
Carrying out inquiries into matters of public interest and assessing public sector performance and accountability Statutory Auditor Function MCA (Performance Audits and Inquiries)
Leadership of the Office Remuneration of Auditor-General and Deputy Auditor-General PLA
Future delivery of the Office's operations Controller and Auditor-General - Capital Expenditure PLA

Part 2 - Details of Departmental Appropriations#

2.1 - Departmental Output Expenses#

Audit and Assurance Services RDA (M78)

Scope of Appropriation
This appropriation is limited to audit and related assurance services as required or authorised by statute.
Expenses and Revenue
  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 83,202 83,418 80,481
Revenue from the Crown - - -
Revenue from Others 83,202 83,418 80,481
What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to deliver audit services and other audit-related services to all public entities to provide Parliament with independent assurance that public entities are accounting for their performance, in keeping with Parliament's intentions.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements

Performance for this appropriation will be assessed by the performance measures listed below. The measures need to be considered in the context of the high-level outcomes outlined in The Auditor-General's strategic intentions to 2025 and in the context of the Auditor-General's Annual Plan 2018/19.

A review of the performance measures for this appropriation is currently in progress to assess their on-going suitability and alignment with The Auditor-General's strategic intentions to 2025. Any changes to these measures will be reported in the Auditor-General's 2017/18 Annual Report.

  2017/18 2018/19
Assessment of Performance Final Budgeted
Standard
Estimated
Actual
Budget
Standard

Percentage of key recommendations our auditors include in management reports that are accepted, and acted on.

At least 70% At least 70% At least 70%

Percentage of public entities' audited reports that are signed within the statutory time frame.

At least 75% At least 80% At least 80%

Percentage of audit reports not signed within the statutory time frame that are because of inaction on our part.

Less than 30% Less than 15% Less than 15%

Percentage of management reports issued within six weeks of issuing the audit report.

100% 96% 100%

Percentage of long-term plan audit opinions signed by 30 June (unless held up by the local authority).

100% 100% N/A

Percentage of long-term plan management reports that have been provided to local authorities.

100% 100% N/A

Annual independent review confirms the probity and objectivity of the methods and processes we use to allocate and tender audits, and monitor the reasonableness of audit fees.

Confirmation by annual independent review Confirmation by annual independent review Confirmation by annual independent review

Percentage of respondents from our satisfaction survey of public entities that are satisfied with their audit (including the skills and knowledge of audit staff, and the public entity's relationship with those staff).

At least 85% 80% At least 85%

Percentage of appointed auditors who have a quality assurance grade of at least "satisfactory", based on our most recent quality assurance review.

100% 95% 100%
End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported in the Auditor-General's 2018/19 Annual Report.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation

This appropriation decreased by $2.722 million to $80.480 million for 2018/19. Costs were higher in 2017/18 due to the triennial audits of Local Authorities long term plans.

Memorandum Account
  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Name of Memorandum Account

     
Opening Balance at 1 July 911 911 1,695
Revenue 83,202 83,418 80,481
Expenses 82,418 82,687 81,309
Transfers and Adjustments - - -

Closing Balance at 30 June

1,695 1,641 867

Audit and Assurance Services (M78)#

Scope of Appropriation#

This appropriation is limited to audit and related assurance services as required or authorised by statute.

Expenses and Revenue#

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 150 150 1,650
Revenue from the Crown 150 150 150
Revenue from Others - - -

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation#

This appropriation is intended to provide for audit and related assurance services. Audits of smaller entities such as cemetery trusts and reserve boards are funded by the Crown.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements#

Performance for this appropriation will be assessed through the performance measures listed under Audit and Assurance Services RDA.

End of Year Performance Reporting#

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported in the Auditor-General's 2018/19 Annual Report.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation#

This appropriation will increase by $1.500 million to $1.650 million because the forecast in the Audit and Assurance Services revenue dependent appropriation is for a deficit in 2018/19. The additional appropriation is required to use memorandum account funds in deficit years.

2.2 - Departmental Other Expenses#

Remuneration of Auditor-General and Deputy Auditor-General PLA (M78)#

Scope of Appropriation

This appropriation is limited to remuneration expenses for both the Auditor-General and the Deputy Auditor-General as authorised by clause 5 of the Third Schedule of the Public Audit Act 2001.

Expenses

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Total Appropriation 838 838 1,052

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This permanent appropriation provides payment to the Auditor-General and Deputy Auditor-General as determined by the Remuneration Authority.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements

The Auditor-General and Deputy Auditor-General lead the performance of the Office. The performance of the Office's activities, including the above payment, is reflected in the information for departmental output and multi-category appropriations.

End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for the Office will be reported in the Auditor-General's 2018/19 Annual Report.

Reasons for Change in Appropriation

This appropriation will increase by $214,000 to $1.052 million.

2.3 - Departmental Capital Expenditure and Capital Injections#

Controller and Auditor-General - Capital Expenditure PLA (M78)#

Scope of Appropriation

This appropriation is limited to the purchase or development of assets by and for the use of the Controller and Auditor-General, as authorised by section 24(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989.

Capital Expenditure

  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000
Forests/Agricultural - - -
Land - - -
Property, Plant and Equipment 538 695 550
Intangibles 549 549 260
Other 76 76 456

Total Appropriation

1,163 1,320 1,266

What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to achieve the renewal of assets that support the delivery of the Controller and Auditor-General's operations.

How Performance will be Assessed and End of Year Reporting Requirements

Expenditure is in accordance with the Controller and Auditor-General's capital asset management plan.

End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported in the Auditor-General's 2018/19 Annual Report.

Capital Injections and Movements in Departmental Net Assets

Controller and Auditor-General

Details of Net Asset Schedule 2017/18
Estimated Actual
$000
2018/19
Projected
$000
Explanation of Projected Movements in 2018/19
Opening Balance 7,133 7,864  
Capital Injections - -  
Capital Withdrawals - -  
Surplus to be Retained (Deficit Incurred) 731 (828) The surplus to be retained or deficit incurred reflects amounts that will be held in or used from the Audit and Assurance Services Memorandum Account.
Other Movements - -  

Closing Balance

7,864 7,036  

Part 4 - Details of Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#

Multi-Category Expenses and Capital Expenditure#

Statutory Auditor Function (M78)

Overarching Purpose Statement
The overarching purpose of this appropriation is to support Parliament in ensuring accountability for the use of public resources.
Scope of Appropriation

Departmental Output Expenses

Performance Audits and Inquiries
This category is limited to undertaking and reporting on performance audits and inquiries relating to public entities under the Public Audit Act 2001 and responding to requests for approvals in relation to pecuniary interest questions regulated by the Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968.
Supporting Accountability to Parliament
This category is limited to reporting to Parliament and others as appropriate on matters arising from audits and inquiries, reporting to and advising select committees, and advising other agencies in New Zealand and abroad to support Parliament and governing bodies in holding their executives to account for the use of public resources.
Expenses, Revenue and Capital Expenditure
  2017/18 2018/19
  Final Budgeted
$000
Estimated Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Total Appropriation

9,854 9,514 9,854

Departmental Output Expenses

     
Performance Audits and Inquiries 6,576 6,236 6,576
Supporting Accountability to Parliament 3,278 3,278 3,278

Funding for Departmental Output Expenses

     

Revenue from the Crown

9,611 9,611 9,611
Performance Audits and Inquiries 6,576 6,576 6,576
Supporting Accountability to Parliament 3,035 3,035 3,035

Revenue from Others

243 243 243
Supporting Accountability to Parliament 243 243 243
What is Intended to be Achieved with this Appropriation

This appropriation is intended to support Parliament in ensuring accountability for the use of public resources through:

  • Services to Parliament - assistance and assurance to select committees and other stakeholders
  • Controller function - assurance to Parliament that spending has been properly incurred within appropriation, and
  • Reports, Studies and Inquiries - reporting on the results of annual audits, performance audits and other studies and inquiring into a public entity's use of resources.
How Performance will be Assessed for this Appropriation

Performance for this appropriation will be assessed through the performance measures listed below. The measures need to be considered in the context of The Auditor-General's strategic intentions 2025, and the Auditor-General's Annual Plan 2018/19.

A review of the performance measures for this appropriation is currently in progress to assess their on-going suitability and alignment with The Auditor-General's strategic intentions to 2025. Any changes to the measures will be reported in the Auditor-General's 2017/18 Annual Report.

  2017/18 2018/19
Assessment of Performance Final Budgeted
Standard
Estimated
Actual
Budget
Standard

Quality standards are consistently met: stakeholders surveyed who confirm relevance of our work to users, and reports independently reviewed that are assessed as high quality.

At least 85% for stakeholders and 100% for reports At least 85% for stakeholders and 100% for reports At least 85% for stakeholders and 100% for reports

Process standards are consistently met: external review and internal quality assurance review confirm our performance audit process standards are consistently complied with, and our policies and procedures for statutory auditor functions meet relevant standards.

Confirmation by external and internal review Confirmation by external and internal review Relevant standards are consistently met
What is Intended to be Achieved with each Category and How Performance will be Assessed
  2017/18 2018/19
Assessment of Performance Final Budgeted
Standard
Estimated
Actual
Budget
Standard

Departmental Output Expenses

     

Performance Audits and Inquiries

     

This category is intended to provide Parliament with assurance about how well public entities use resources and manage a range of matters and programmes, making recommendations where we consider improvements can be made.

     

Entities accept the key recommendations made in our reports, and the recommendations influence improvement.

As assessed in follow up reports As assessed in follow up reports As assessed in follow up reports

Findings on inquiries reported to the relevant parties within three months for routine inquiries, six months for significant inquiries and 12 months for major inquiries.

At least 80% 80% At least 80%

Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968 matters that are completed within 30 working days.

At least 80% 80% At least 80%

Supporting Accountability to Parliament

     

This category is intended to provide advice and assistance to Parliament and our other stakeholders to assist them in their work to improve the performance and accountability of public entities. Our Controller function provides independent assurance to Parliament that public money has been spent appropriately and lawfully.

     

Percentage of stakeholders we survey who confirm that our advice assists them.

At least 85% At least 85% At least 85%

Select committees and other stakeholders are satisfied with the proposed work programme (as indicated by feedback on our draft annual work programme).

Stakeholders are satisfied Stakeholders are satisfied Stakeholders are satisfied

Percentage of projects in the programme of work under this output class that are delivered within their planned time frames.

At least 75% Less than 75% At least 75%

Percentage of briefings given to select committees at least two days before an examination, unless otherwise agreed.

100% 100% 100%

Controller function: monthly statements provided by the Treasury are reviewed for the period September to June inclusive. Advice of issues arising and action to be taken is provided to the Treasury and appointed auditors within five working days of receipt of the statement.

Procedures followed and agreed time frames met Procedures followed and agreed time frames met Procedures followed and agreed time frames met
End of Year Performance Reporting

Performance information for this appropriation will be reported in the Auditor-General's 2018/19 Annual Report.