Q3 2024

As the Auditor General of Thailand, I have observed firsthand the key role that follow-up audits play in ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of government financial management. The State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand (SAO) is committed to rigorous follow-up procedures that uphold our mandate under the Organic Act on State Audit B.E. 2561 (2018).

Many auditors have developed considerable experience conducting each stage of an audit, yet those same auditors often lose momentum when it comes to moving from one stage to the next. One reason is that auditors must get the details right to support convincing findings and conclusions; however, that same focus on the details may prevent an auditor from considering how decisions on one stage will impact the next stage of the audit. Consequently, in addition to developing technical skills needed to execute each stage of an audit, auditors should also develop the ability to think ahead to help an audit move smoothly from one stage to the next. 

Through their work, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) are compelled to promote positive changes in people’s lives. To achieve this purpose, auditing stands out as one of the most important tools at SAIs’ disposal to increase the public value generation. By carrying out audits, a SAI can evaluate whether processes are executed in compliance with established norms, identify performance improvements (under the usual principles of effectiveness, efficiency, and economy), or conclude on the financial information of an entity.