Towards a New Approach to External Public Audit in Romania — A Brief Essay

Abstract

Our paper analyzes recent transformations in the field of external public auditing in Romania, with a particular focus on the transition toward a modern, performance-oriented approach aimed at improving processes. The reforms initiated by the Romanian Court of Accounts aim to adopt best international practices, moving away from traditional coercive methods such as „error hunting” and a focus on sanctions. The proposed „pure” auditing approach emphasizes the formulation of actionable recommendations and effective measures, grounded in professional missions and rigorous performance analysis. The paper also highlights the progress made in increasing the transparency of the Court of Accounts' activities, including the development of guidance mechanisms and uniform practices for external auditors and audited entities. In the context of accelerated digitalization, the institution has implemented modern solutions for data collection and processing, contributing to the prompt drafting of reports and providing better assistance to beneficiaries. These developments position Romania's external public auditing on an upward trajectory, with the potential for alignment with the standards of similar institutions in advanced countries, while also offering substantial support to the majority of good-faith entities. To capture the new directions adopted in external public auditing in Romania, after this brief Introduction (1), we focus on the issue of The renunciation of the jurisdictional function of the Court of Accounts (2) and the topic of Breaking away from the past through continuous reform measures (3), concluding with a Conclusions section (4).