Loading...
Back to Unit

Auditing in the public sector

Unit: Audit & Assurance

Premium Topic Resources

Sign in to download the full Topic PDF and enable offline revision mode.

Login to Access
Join the community! 550+ students upgraded in the last 24 hours. Limited Discount Seats Available

Practice CPA Audit & Assurance Auditing in the public sector questions with detailed answers and explanations.

Access past exam questions by topic, improve your understanding, and download PDF for offline revision.

August 2026

1 Questions
Question 3
​​Apex Water Services Corporation is a county-owned entity responsible for supplying water to urban and rural households. The corporation is implementing a meter replacement project funded through the county budget. Internal audit reports indicate delayed follow-up of recommendations, weak monitoring of contractors and possible overpayments for meters that were never installed. The county executive committee has requested guidance on public sector roles, internal audit monitoring and possible recovery of public funds if irregularities are confirmed. 
 
Required: 
(a) (i)  Explain THREE responsibilities of a public sector auditor when auditing the meter replacement project.   
 
(ii) Describe THREE audit procedures that should be performed to verify whether meters paid for under the project were actually installed.   
 
(b) (i) Recommend THREE matters that should be included in a risk-based internal audit plan for the meter replacement project.
 
(ii)  Explain THREE internal audit key performance indicators that the audit committee could use to monitor whether audit recommendations on contractor supervision and meter installation are being followed up.   
 
(c) (i) Discuss TWO asset recovery actions that the county government should consider if the suspected overpayments are confirmed.     
  
(ii) Analyse TWO financial reporting actions that management should take where the confirmed irregularities materially affect the financial statements. 


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

April 2026

1 Questions
Question 5
​​(a) Explain TWO purposes of analytical procedures when performed at the final review stage of the audit. 
 
(b) Discuss FOUR objectives of a performance audit in the public sector context.    
 
(c) Analyse FOUR differences between a “review engagement” and an “audit”. 


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

August 2025

1 Questions
Question 5b
​​Explain the objectives of the following types of audits conducted in the public sector

(i) Financial audit.

(ii) Compliance audit.

(iii) Performance audit.

(iv) Value for money audit.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

April 2025

1 Questions
Question 1b
​​Describe SIX challenges that the Office of the Auditor General encounters in its efforts to deliver on its mandate.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

April 2024

1 Questions
Question 3c
​​Discuss FIVE roles played by public sector audits in good governance in public sector entities.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

December 2022

1 Questions
Question 4a
​​Explain the “THREE Es” of a value for money audit.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

January 2022

1 Questions
Question 5a
​​In the context of auditing in the public sector:

(i) Describe four roles of Parliament and County Assemblies, or their equivalents, in public audit.

(ii) Explain the salient features of "regulatory audits", "forensic audits" and "performance audits".

(iii) Summarise four reasons for qualified audit reports in the public sector.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

December 2021

1 Questions
Question 5c
​​Examine three mandates of internal auditors of a government entity as per the Public Financial Management Act. Regulations (2015).


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

September 2021

1 Questions
Question 2d
​​Describe four ways an internal audit function of a government entity would achieve independence in conduct of its functions in relation to the Internal Audit Guidelines for National Government Entities in your country.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

May 2021

1 Questions
Question 4d
​​In the context of auditing in the public sector, evaluate four objectives of performance audits.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

November 2020

1 Questions
Question 2d
​​Evaluate three approaches used in performance auditing in the Public Sector.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

November 2019

1 Questions
Question 4c
​​ Describe four objectives of public sector auditing.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

November 2018

1 Questions
Question 3d
​​Citing two areas and with relevant examples in each case, explain the purpose of a value for money audit.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

May 2018

1 Questions
Question 3c
​​In the context of public sector auditing, distinguish between "performance audits" and "compliance audits".


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

November 2016

1 Questions
Question 1b
In the context of International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) 100 "Fundamental Principles of Public Sector Auditing", discuss four principles relating to planning an audit.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

May 2016

1 Questions
Question 1a
​ ​​In the context of International Standards of Supreme Auditing Institutions 3100, Performance Audit Guidelines Key Principles"

(i) Define the term "performance auditing".

(ii) Discuss the three approaches that might be taken in examining the performance of the audited entty


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer

November 2015

1 Questions
Question 1b
​​Discuss the three E's of value for money auditing as used in public sector auditing.


Answers and Explanations are locked.

Login to View Answer