A supreme audit institution is an independent national-level institution which conducts audits of government activities.[1][2] Most supreme audit institutions are established in their country's constitution, and their mandate is further refined in national legislation.[3] Supreme audit institutions play an important role in providing oversight and accountability in a country by monitoring the use of public funds and reviewing the quality and accuracy of government financial reporting.[4] They also contribute to anti-corruption efforts.[5] Depending on the country, a supreme audit institution may be called a court of audit (common in Europe and its former colonies), auditor-general (common in the Anglosphere) or the board of audit (in some Asian countries). Nearly every supreme audit institution in the world is a member of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, which works to establish and disseminate international standards and good practices.[6]
In some countries, such as with Taiwan's Control Yuan, the audit institution may constitute a separate, independent branch of government in addition to the more typical executive, legislative and judicial branches.