The Fourth Anniversary of the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum

Approximately 370 audit directors, who are members of the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum, represent Federal departments and agencies, States, cities, and counties across the Nation. The forums have contributed to the drafting of legislation and regulations and have brought about cooperation among auditors at all levels of government. Changes in Government and public policy over the past 20 years affecting audit functions are: new functions in such fields as urban development, pollution, energy, and drug addiction; expanded functions in many areas such as mental health; a more important role for State goverments in local financing; an increase in the number of State and local employees; the need for more capable managers at the State and local levels to handle complex programs; and the need for specialists in economics and data processing to perform audits of economy, efficiency, and program results. Greater changes will be necessary in the future to provide the necessary information for Government planning.