From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov

Transcript for: What is the Center for Audit Excellence?

Description: An overview of the new Center for Audit Excellence, an
organization within the U.S. Government Accountability Office. 

Released: October 2015


[James-Christian Blockwood, Managing Director ] Accountability,
integrity, good governance; these are some hallmarks that state, local,
federal, and international institutions strive for, but how can you be
sure your organization is equipped to meet those goals? Hello, I'm
James-Christian Blockwood. As a managing director at GAO, I'm helping
the United States Comptroller General, Gene Dodaro, establish a new
Center for Audit Excellence.

[ Background Music ]

[ Narrator ] At the Center, our mission is to promote good governance
and build the institutional capacity of both domestic and international
accountability organizations. We do this by providing high quality
training and technical assistance. So how does the Center work and how
can it help build your organization's capacity?

Although the Center is an organization within the U.S. Government
Accountability Office, it operates separately from GAO's audit teams and
functions on a fee-for-service basis. The Center offers a wide variety
of products and services that can be customized to meet the needs of
accountability organizations around the world. Having developed U.S.
government audit standards, GAO has unique expertise in understanding
and applying these standards. We also have a solid understanding of
standards developed by the International Organization of Supreme Audit
Institutions, or INTOSAI. 

[ Image Display: Build Institutional Capacity ] So what products and
services do we offer? We can help organizations develop strategic plans
[ Image Display: DEVELOP strategic plans ], establish sound quality
assurance processes [ Image Display: ESTABLISH sound quality assurance
processes ], implement performance measurement systems [ Image Display:
IMPLEMENT performance measurement systems ], and develop strategies for
stakeholder engagement [ Image Display: DEVELOP STRATEGIES stakeholder
engagement ]. To enhance performance audit skills [ Image Display:
Enhance Performance Audit Skills ], we can provide training on how to
design and apply audit methodologies [ Image Display: audit
methodologies, assess evidence [ Image Display: assess evidence ], and
write clear, succinct audit reports [ Image Display: clear, succinct
audit reports ]. We can also provide mentors to coach teams in carrying
out performance audits. To improve the quality of financial audits [
Image Display: Improve Financial Audit Quality ], we can provide
training [ Image Display: PROVIDE training ] or help teams apply sound
methodologies [ Image Display: HELP WITH sound methodologies ] using a
risk-based approach, build strong relationships between external and
internal audit organizations [ Image Display: BUILD strong relationships
], and write audit reports that clearly explain key findings and put
them in proper context [ Image Display: WRITE audit reports ]. These are
just a few examples of the services we provide. Once we receive a
request for assistance, we will meet with you to gain a better
understanding of your needs, identify the types of services that can be
best meet those needs, and discuss timeframes and estimated fees.

We also help organizations identify the most cost efficient approach to
delivering training and technical assistance. The Center's team of
highly experienced audit professionals has expertise in a broad range of
topics. Our staff members have served as senior audit executives,
managers, and instructors. Our staff members are passionate about
sharing their knowledge and working collaboratively to enhance the
capacity of accountability organizations.

To learn more about how we work, or for updated event information, call
or e-mail us or check out our website.

[ Final Screen ]

EMAIL
centerforauditexcellence@gao.gov

PHONE
(202) 512-7100

WEBSITE
http://www.gao.gov/resources/centerforauditexcellence/overview