On the Application of Information Audit for the State Public Audit

Abstract

The paper analyzes methodological approaches to the implementation of information audit by public audit institutions. The aim of the research is to analyze instruments of the traditional information audit developed as a part of information management theory and to make propositions on its basis on the creation of methodology of information audit as a form of public audit. It is based on general scientific methods, including comparative analyzes. The article substantiates the necessity for public audit institutions to conduct information audit due to the key value of information and information resources for the legality and efficiency of the public resources' management. The authors analyze basic approaches to the definition of the traditional information audit and its instruments. Based on this the authors made a conclusion that such general approach could be used for the purposes of public audit with necessary amendments due to specific aims of this type of public financial control, legal status of public audit institutions and position of auditees in the public management system. The study defines basic stages of the information audit conducted by public audit institutions and unique characteristics of its aims due to their interrelations with the tasks of audits and analytical research performed by such bodies. The paper also proposes basic instruments for the data collection as well as a general approach to interaction between auditors conducting information audit, auditees and other stakeholders.The practical results of the research are relevant for the introduction of information audit instruments into the practice of public audit institutions and for the development of applicable methodological documents.