An Examination of Performance Audit Principles in Public Sector Audit: An Interpretive Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper aims to assess the principles of performance auditing (PA) in the public sector of Bangladesh. The PA is conducted by the supreme audit institution of the country, the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG). To attain the objective this study analyses all the performance auditing (PA) reports published by the OCAG. There are 19 published PA reports. The PA report has been classified into several principles, including the 3Es as suggested by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). The level of compliance has been integrated into the classification scheme of the PA reports. The contents analysis demonstrates that Effectiveness has been addressed in the highest number of reports whereas Efficiency has not been addressed in any reports. The extended classifications (beyond 3Es) have been reflected in the PA reports rarely. In addition, compliance issues have been presented weakly in the reports. The findings have been analyzed in line with the contemporary studies in public sector auditing. Public sector auditing has been studied merely in developing countries. This study will contribute to this aspect. Moreover, the future potential research avenue has been explored in this study. The limitation of this study is confined in the number of reports which is 19. Therefore, these limited available data and the uniqueness of the developing country defy the generalization of the findings but can contribute to the PA research in developing countries.