Our Mission
The OECD Auditors Alliance exists to connect public sector auditors from across OECD member countries and partner nations, fostering the exchange of knowledge, methodologies, and innovative practices that strengthen government accountability and improve public sector performance. We believe that effective auditing is a cornerstone of democratic governance, and that auditors who learn from one another across national boundaries are better equipped to fulfil their vital oversight role.
History and Background
The Alliance was established in response to growing recognition within the OECD community that public sector auditors faced common challenges that would benefit from collaborative, cross-national approaches. As governments worldwide grappled with issues of fiscal sustainability, digital transformation, and rising citizen expectations for transparency, it became clear that audit institutions could achieve more by working together than by operating in isolation.
Founded under the auspices of the OECD Public Governance Directorate, the Alliance brings together representatives from supreme audit institutions, internal audit functions, inspectorates general, and related oversight bodies across OECD member countries and beyond. Since its inception, the Alliance has grown to include participants from more than 38 countries, representing a diverse range of legal traditions, institutional arrangements, and audit methodologies.
What We Do
Knowledge Exchange
At the heart of the Alliance's work is the facilitation of knowledge exchange among public sector auditors. Through regular meetings, working groups, webinars, and an online collaboration platform, members share experiences, discuss challenges, and develop common approaches to emerging audit issues. Topics addressed by the Alliance have included algorithmic auditing, crisis response, design thinking in audit, the use of artificial intelligence, and the governance of public procurement.
Research and Publications
The Alliance produces a range of publications that synthesise the collective knowledge and experience of its members. These include comparative studies of audit practices across member countries, best practice guides on specific audit topics, and thought leadership papers on emerging challenges and opportunities for public sector auditing. All Alliance publications are developed collaboratively, drawing on input from practitioners across the membership.
Events and Conferences
The Alliance organises annual conferences and thematic workshops that bring together senior audit professionals for in-depth discussion and peer learning. These events provide opportunities for auditors to present their work, receive feedback from international peers, and build professional networks that support ongoing collaboration.
Capacity Building
Recognising that the effectiveness of public sector auditing depends on the capabilities of individual auditors and their institutions, the Alliance supports capacity building through training programmes, mentoring arrangements, and the development of practical tools and resources that members can apply in their own national contexts.
Governance
The Alliance operates under the oversight of a Steering Committee comprising senior representatives from member audit institutions. The Steering Committee sets the strategic direction of the Alliance, approves its work programme, and ensures that its activities are aligned with the broader objectives of the OECD's public governance agenda.
Day-to-day coordination of the Alliance's activities is provided by the OECD Secretariat, which supports the planning and delivery of events, the production of publications, and the management of the Alliance's online collaboration platform. The Secretariat also facilitates connections between the Alliance and other OECD bodies working on related governance and accountability issues.
Our Values
- Independence: We uphold the independence of public sector audit as a fundamental prerequisite for effective oversight and accountability.
- Collaboration: We believe that auditors achieve more by working together across institutional and national boundaries than by operating in isolation.
- Innovation: We are committed to the continuous improvement of audit practice through the adoption of new methodologies, technologies, and approaches.
- Integrity: We promote the highest standards of professional ethics and personal integrity in all aspects of public sector auditing.
- Impact: We measure our success not by the volume of our activities but by the practical difference our work makes to the quality of government oversight worldwide.
Join the Conversation
The OECD Auditors Alliance welcomes engagement from public sector audit professionals worldwide. Whether you represent a supreme audit institution, an internal audit function, or a related oversight body, we invite you to explore our resources, attend our events, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about the future of public sector auditing.