NI Audit Office marks publication of latest good practice guide: Effective Audit and Risk Assurance Committees Effective Audit and Risk Assurance Committees

Audience seated for the launch event with a panel discussion taking place at the top of the room.

The Northern Ireland Audit Office was delighted to host a special launch event today (Friday 06 June 2025) to mark the publication of our latest good practice guide on Effective Audit and Risk Assurance Committees.

The event, organised in partnership with the Chief Executives' Forum and NI Public Sector Chairs' Forum, brought together leaders from across central and local government, for an extremely engaging and positive session. 

Following a warm welcome and opening from Chairs' Forum Chair Colin Coffey, Comptroller and Audit General Dorinnia Carville, along with NIAO Director Brian O'Neill, gave attendees an overview of and background to the guide. Recognising the vital role of audit and risk assurance committees (ARACs) in ensuring good governance and accountability in how public services are delivered, the guide draws on insights and learnings from the NIAO's attendance at many ARAC meetings. Attention was particulalry drawn to the inclusion of specific best practice guidance for ARAC Members working in local government, and in addressing emerging and increasingly crucial areas such as cybersecurity and the potential role of Artificial Intelligence.

NI Audit Office Director presenting to the audience on the key themes of the Effective Audit and Risk Assurance Committee guide. A presentation slide is shown listing the main sections - Good Practice, Local Government Guidance, Membership independence, objectivity and understanding Skills and experience Continuous Improvement Communication and reporting Scope Roles and responsibilities
Auditor General Dorinnia Carville addresses delegates from behind a lectern.

Attendees also heard from Brian Whalley, a specialist in public sector governance and accountability training, who has had vast experience training and advising organisations and boards across the UK regions. This was complemented by an address from Sharon O'Connor, ARAC Chair for the Department of Communities, who offered her personal reflections and insights from her hands-on role working with across the range of issues and challenges facing ARACs.

Sharon O'Connor addresses attendees from behind a lectern.

The session concluded with a thorough and engaging panel q&a featuring all the main speakers, led by Chief Executives' Forum Chair Sir David Sterling, probing the themes covered in the guide and the key talking points from the morning's speakers.

A panel q&a session featuring Chief Executives' Forum Sir David Sterling, NI Audit Office Director Brian O'Neill, Department for Communities Audit Committee Chair Sharon O'Connor, Auditor General Dorinnia Carville and accountability and governance trainer and practitioner Brian Whalley

A very big thank you to everyone who attended and participated.

A copy of the guide (and its accompanying self-assessment checklist) is available from the publications section of this website. 

Cover of the NI Audit Office good Practice guide on Effective Audit and Risk Communities, featuring an image of a meeting taking place in an office