The Art and Science of Designing and Executing High Impact Equity-Focused Performance Audits

Performance auditing is an important and unique transparency and accountability tool within government. Through adhering to key auditing standards, including independence and professional judgment standards, and by executing sound and innovative methodologies, performance auditors are well positioned and have an important responsibility for ensuring public services and enforcement actions are not only provided efficiently and effectively, but equitably. Yet, historically, government auditors have generally not executed audits with equity scope and objectives.

This 3-day interactive course will explore both the theory and practice of executing performance audits with equity scopes and objectives. The course will include examples of equity themed performance audits and will provide real tools and takeaways to help the Guam Auditor’s Office expand its impact and proficiency with equity performance auditing.

What You Will Learn

• Understand the importance and opportunity for executing performance audits with equity scopes and objectives.
• Recognize and apply relevant equity-focused government auditing standards and principals.
• Define key terms, consider an audit equity terminology, and identify different types of equity audits.
• Discuss and assess limitations, risk appetite “risks,” and cultural considerations of equity focused performance auditing.
• Design and execute audit plans and innovative methodologies effective for assessing equity, including the application of data analytical tools.
• Write compelling performance audit reports with equity scopes and objectives.
• Present and communicate performance audit reports with equity scopes and objectives.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for all members of the Guam Office of Public Accountability, including administrative staff. A key goal of the training is to facilitate group discussion and team building within the office.

Health & Safety Protocols

For all on-site training in the insular areas, the Graduate School USA's Pacific and Virgin Islands Training Initiatives (PITI-VITI) works closely with local training hosts to ensure that participants, instructors, and training support staff enjoy a safe learning experience. Please note the following:

• Full details of PITI-VITI's health and safety guidelines are available here.
• Local health and safety guidelines for the government of Guam, which will be hosting this training, is available at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/.
• Please contact PITI-VITI Admin at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Tuition Fees

With funding support from the United States Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, courses are available free of charge for government accountability professionals within the insular areas. The course fee is waived and there is no cost to register and attend, Professionals who do not meet the above criteria, please contact [email protected].