What We Do

As an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly, the Auditor General offers impartial opinions, observations and recommendations on government finances, operations, and management practices. Governed by the Audit Act, the Office has the authority to conduct audits and examinations of provincial departments, Crown corporations, agencies, and funds.  

Each year, the Office performs financial audits, including the province’s consolidated financial statements, as well as other financial statement audits of Crown corporations, agencies, and trust funds. Aside from financial audits, the Office performs special audits and examinations called performance audits. Performance audits, sometimes referred to as “value-for-money” audits, can advise whether there is value being received for the money spent by government. These audits determine whether an auditable entity (a provincial department, an agency of government, or a funding recipient) is achieving its purposes economically, efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with applicable statutory provisions.  

When our audit work is complete, we publish reports with information, advice, and assurance based on our findings. These reports are tabled in the legislature with the goal of increasing accountability, transparency, and effective management of public resources. For each tabled report, we meet with the Public Accounts Committee to present our findings and answer Committee members’ questions that are within our scope of mandate and work.  

What We Don’t Do 

• We do not do audits at the municipal or federal level (see OAG Canada).  
• We do not investigate complaints about fairness in process or decisions that are made by public agencies (see Prince Edward Island’s Ombudsperson).  
• We do not investigate complaints of wrongdoing or reprisal in the workplace from members of the public sector (see Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner).

Our Teams: Financial Audit and Performance Audit 

Financial Audit Team 

As required by the Audit Act, the Office’s financial audit team performs the audit of the province’s consolidated financial statements. These statements account for billions of dollars in government spending and are used to inform economic decisions. Our work provides reasonable assurance that the financial statements are fairly presented, and we present insight on the province’s financial position and operating results. In addition, the team performs annual financial statement audits for several government entities. 

Performance Audit Team 

The Office’s performance audit team conducts special audits and examinations throughout the year. These audits address timely and significant matters across all areas of government, from health care to transportation. Performance auditors work with auditable entities (like a funding recipient or an agency of government) to determine whether they are achieving their purpose economically, efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with applicable statutory provisions. This often means examining programs, processes, and activities. Performance audits do not assess the merits of policy, but they provide independent, evidence-based observations and conclusions. 

Quality Assurance  

The development of quality audits relies on quality management. The Office has an Assistant Auditor General of Quality Assurance (AAG of QA) who oversees the Office’s system of quality management. The AAG of QA ensures that audit operations adhere to established quality policies and practices, maintaining the integrity of our work. 

Our Reports 

We release our Annual Report once a year, which includes the results of the Office’s audit of the province’s consolidated financial statements. It also includes some special reports and follow-up information for past audits. Following the Audit Act, the Annual Report is submitted to the Speaker no later than March 15.  

While they are included in the Annual Report, special reports, like performance audits, can be tabled in the Legislative Assembly at any time on any matter that, in the opinion of the Auditor General, should not be deferred until the release of the Annual Report. This means that we publish and table reports throughout the calendar year.

What we choose to audit is based on a variety of factors. These factors include: 

• Audit requests from the Legislative Assembly 
• Correspondence from the public  
• Financial, social, and environmental impact 
• Relevance to those living on Prince Edward Island
• Our capacity to do the required work 
• Our goal of making a positive difference for Islanders 

When considering an audit topic, auditors will research and prepare a project proposal for the Auditor General to review and approve. Only projects that receive approval proceed to the next phase of the audit process.