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Microlesson · 5-min read

Government Audit - Framework, CFI and Definitions

# Government Audit - Foundational Concepts

## Consolidated Fund of India (CFI)

Consists of:

  • All revenue received from direct and indirect taxes
  • All loans taken
  • All amounts of repayment of loans received by GOI

Significance: All Govt expenditure is incurred from this fund. No money out of this fund shall be appropriated except as per law and Constitution.

## Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

A committee of selected members of Parliament, constituted by Parliament of India, to audit revenue and expenditure of GOI.

## UN Definition of Government Auditing

UN Handbook on Govt Auditing and Developing Countries defines Govt auditing as:

  • Objective, systematic, professional and independent examination
  • of financial, administrative and other operations
  • of a public entity
  • made subsequently to their execution
  • for the purpose of evaluating and verifying them
  • presenting a report containing explanatory comments on audit findings together with conclusions and recommendations for future actions
  • by responsible officials
  • and in case of examination of FS, expressing professional opinion

## Objectives of Government Audit

  • Accounting for Public Funds
  • Appraisal of Govt Policies
  • Base for Corrective Actions
  • Administrative Accountability - Govt audit is neither equipped nor intended to function as an investigating agency. Main objective is a combination of:
  • Ensuring accountability of administration to legislature
  • Functioning as an aid to administration

In India, this function is discharged by the independent statutory authority of C&AG through the agency of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.

Worked example

### Example 1

Example: A taxpayer pays Rs. 1 lakh income tax. This flows into the CFI. A government department then incurs Rs. 80,000 on a road project - this expenditure can only happen if Parliament has authorised appropriation from CFI.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Confusing Government Audit with investigation - it is NOT an investigating agency
  • Forgetting that CFI includes loans and loan repayments, not just tax revenue
  • Treating PAC as part of executive - it is a Parliamentary committee
Bare-Act text Article 151 · Constitution of India · click to expand
Article 151 requires that the reports of C&AG relating to the accounts of the Union/State shall be submitted to the President/Governor who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament/State Legislature.
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