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PA Department of the Auditor General
Be Audit Smart Logo.

The Department of the Auditor General is Pennsylvania’s chief fiscal watchdog, responsible for auditing state tax dollars to determine if they are being spent legally and properly.

The Be Audit Smart initiative helps inform the public about the work the Department does, shines a light on how taxpayer dollars are being spent, provides audit education opportunities, and offers resources in support of financial literacy.

Auditor General DeFoor travels the Commonwealth to connect with Pennsylvanians and participate in public engagement events, like Performance Audit announcements and VFRA education sessions.

Explore this page to learn more about who and what we audit, review a compilation of our most recent audits, access information on public engagement events and education sessions, and more.

Be Audit $mart In The News

Our department uses performance audits to gauge whether government programs are operating properly. Our Be Audit $mart initiative works to break down these audits so Pennsylvanians can understand where their tax dollars are going and how they’re being spent.

Take a look at some of our recent audits:

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 24 Counties

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor Releases Audits of Municipal Pension Plans in 21 Counties

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor’s Performance Audit of Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund Finds Continued Lack of Internal Controls

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor’s PCCD Audit Finds Law Enforcement Education Grants in Compliance; Recommends Ways to Make First Chance Trust Fund Process More Transparent

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor’s Performance Audit: ECGRA Complied with Laws; Owed $538,000 from Erie County

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor Again Issues Warning for Distressed Municipal Pension Plans

News Release

Performance Audit of UPMC’s Community HealthChoices Contract Finds Reporting Delays Cost Taxpayers More Than $120,000 in 2022

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor Releases Cyber Charter School Performance Audit and Calls for Major Reform to How They are Funded

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor: DCNR Ignored its Internal Policies and Procedures When Awarding Grants for Conservation Projects

News Release

Auditor General DeFoor: Lack of Oversight by DHS and Spread Pricing by PBMs Cost PA Taxpayers $7 Million in 2022

Events & Recognition


Education Session Held for Volunteer Fire Relief Associations in Allegheny County

We partnered with State Sen. Patty Kim on an information session for Volunteer Fire Relief Associations (VFRAs) in Dauphin County to help them effectively and efficiently manage the state funds they receive. Every VFRA in attendance left with a copy of the department’s Management Guidelines for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations. This is the fourth education event the Auditor General hosted. We’ve previously hosted events in Bucks County in partnership with State Sen. Frank Farry; Allegheny County with State Sen. Devlin Robinson; and Luzerne County with State Rep. Brenda Pugh.

Interested in learning more about or hosting an education session?
Contact Us

Lower Swatara Township Recognized for Having Well-Funded Municipal Pension Plans

We recently recognized Lower Swatara Township for having well-funded municipal pension plans, which ensures their employees have the benefits they deserve and lightens the financial burden on taxpaying citizens in the community. In the most recent audit of the Lower Swatara Township’s Non-Uniformed Pension Plan and the Lower Swatara’s Police Pension Plan, auditors found that the township’s pension plans are well-funded, comply with all laws and regulations, and that they have corrected any prior findings from previous audits.

Interested in being recognized, or want to nominate a deserving entity?
Contact Us

Auditing 101


Our Audits

Department of the Auditor General audits confirm the accuracy of information reported to the state. Our audits identify ways to improve how government programs operate, and ensure money is being spent the way it’s supposed to be.

We conduct four types of audits:

  • Attestation Engagements: Provide users of financial or nonfinancial information with assurance to the reliability of the related subject matter or assertion, which includes examinations, reviews, or agreed-upon procedures (compliance) audits
  • Compliance Audits: which determine whether auditees are complying with law.
  • Financial Audits: Help ensure the reliability of financial information on which much of the state government operates.
  • Performance Audits: Gauge whether or not government programs and activities are meeting stated goals and objectives, and if tax dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively.
Search Our Audits

Our Audit Bureaus

Our growing team of around 300 auditors work in the Bureau of County Audits, Bureau of Fire Relief Audits, Bureau of Information Technology (IT) Audits, Bureau of Municipal Pension & Liquor Control Audits, Bureau of Performance Audits, and the Bureau of State & Federal Audits.

Learn About Our Audit Bureaus

Answers to FAQs

Have questions about what we audit, the parts of an audit, and more? We have answers!

Read Answers to Common Questions

Pennsylvania Department
of the Auditor General