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Public Audit Act 2001

Audits and reports - Audits of public entities

15: Financial report audit

You could also call this:

"The Auditor-General checks if government departments spend money correctly."

Illustration for Public Audit Act 2001

The Auditor-General checks the financial statements and accounts of public entities. You can think of public entities like government departments or agencies. The Auditor-General makes sure their financial information is correct. The Auditor-General also checks how government departments and agencies use the money they are given. When the Auditor-General checks the financial information of some public entities, they must follow certain standards. If another law says a public entity must follow these standards, that law does not apply to the public entity's audit.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM88596.

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14: Auditor of public entities, or

"Who checks the money of public organisations?"

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Part 3Audits and reports
Audits of public entities

15Financial report audit

  1. The Auditor-General must from time to time audit the financial statements, accounts, and other information that a public entity is required to have audited.

  2. In the case of an audit of a department, an Office of Parliament, or a parliamentary agency, the Auditor-General must also audit the appropriations administered by the department, Office, or agency.

  3. In the case of an audit of an FMC reporting entity carried out under this Act, the Auditor-General must (at a minimum) comply with the auditing and assurance standards that apply to the audit.

  4. If another enactment that would otherwise apply to a public entity (other than an FMC reporting entity) requires an audit of the public entity or the audit report (or both) to comply with auditing and assurance standards, that requirement does not apply in relation to the public entity.

Notes
  • Section 15(2): replaced, on , by section 49 of the Parliament (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 63).
  • Section 15(3): added, on , by section 12 of the Financial Reporting Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 22).
  • Section 15(3): amended, on , by section 126 of the Financial Reporting (Amendments to Other Enactments) Act 2013 (2013 No 102).
  • Section 15(4): inserted, on , by section 126 of the Financial Reporting (Amendments to Other Enactments) Act 2013 (2013 No 102).