Specialist Audit and Assurance Services

Audit New Zealand’s assurance services

Audit New Zealand's Specialists provide independent assurance. An assurance review can help you manage risk, confirm where you are operating well, identify areas for improvement, and help maintain the trust and confidence of your stakeholders.

As public sector specialists Audit New Zealand delivers assurance services with insight and understanding. Our policies, procedures, systems and processes; our mature methodologies; our skills and experience make us a capable assurance provider.

We have a strong track record in procurement, contract management, commissioning and funding. We are the public sector experts in probity and integrity, including best practice for managing risks from conflict of interest.

The team has expertise and experience across the New Zealand public sector. We are committed to professional development, and the team includes practitioners in the Axelos® ProPath suite of portfolio, programme and project management tools including PRINCE2, MSP, MoP etc.

Our highly qualified specialists are members of relevant professional bodies.

We are the Auditor-General's in-house specialists.

We understand local rules, guidance, and good practice. Our independence and integrity are fundamental. Our work meets applicable New Zealand and international standards.

We take a principled approach:

• People matter.
• Our independence is critical.
• We act with integrity and courage.
• We're here to make a difference.

We can work alongside you in real-time when you are actively managing your risks, or retrospectively when your work is complete.

Our team are proud members of:

Services

Audit New Zealand's assurance services include:

Procurement

Procurement processes must be robust and fair to all the parties involved, such as contractors, consultants, and suppliers. They must meet the standards for good practice expected of public entities and be designed to deliver the best outcome. Our team can provide an invaluable independent review of public entities' processes and procedures.

Contract management

Whether public entities are handling a major supply contract or a small professional services contract, good practice is essential. Our team can review contracting practices and provide independent insights.

Probity and integrity

Integrity is about honesty and adherence to strong ethical principles. Whenever a public entity spends money, this must meet standards of probity that will allow it to withstand parliamentary and public scrutiny. With extensive knowledge of the public sector, we are well positioned to provide assurance about probity risks, carry out integrity audits and conflict of interest inquiries.

Managing assets

Public services rely on a diverse portfolio of assets to support service delivery. Managing assets well will result in an organisation reducing risks and getting better value for money. Public entities will want plans for managing their assets effectively and efficiently. Our specialists have wide experience in reviewing asset management and can provide assurance on plans and planning.

Portfolio, programme, and project management

Portfolio management is about delivering strategically important change. It balances investment in running the organisation (business as usual) with changing the organisation. Delivering programmes and projects paid for by the public carries risk. Public entities are responsible for outcomes, and that public funds are used effectively and efficiently. Our team can provide independent assurance that these entities are managing their portfolio, programmes, or projects to good practice standards.

Managing risks

Identifying, analysing, and managing or mitigating risk is integral to the reputation of a public entity and vital for ensuring objectives are met. All public entities need systems to avoid conflicts of interest and to adhere to professional accounting, legal, and financial standards. Public entities need to show that they have appropriate quality assurance, external review, and training for managing risks. Our specialists can provide assurance for public entities' that their risk management framework and practices meet applicable standards.

Governance

Getting governance right is vital to protect and enhance the performance of a public entity. Good governance contributes to an open, fair, and transparent public sector. Effective governance of change programmes and projects is important for their success. Our team has wide experience identifying where governance works well and where improvements can be made.

Sensitive spending

Some spending of public money is particularly sensitive. An example is spending that provides some form of private benefit to an individual – for example, spending on travel, accommodation, and hospitality. A public entity might need to spend money on something considered unusual for that organisation's purpose and/or functions. A public entity's sensitive spending needs to stand up to the scrutiny of Parliament and the public. With extensive knowledge of the public sector, our team is well positioned to provide public entities with assurance about sensitive spending.

Managing performance

Managing performance effectively is critical to the success of a well-run public entity. Managing performance well should provide managers with the information that they need to make decisions, help to guide and manage staff, and provide information to stakeholders and the public about the services that a public entity provides. Our specialists' thorough understanding of best practice means that they can provide quality assurance for public entities' performance reporting.

Our people

August 2024