The Organization

The Office of the Auditor General of Canada employs approximately 700 people between its head office in Ottawa and 4 regional offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Montréal, and Halifax.

About us

Who we are

Our mandate

Mission and vision

What we do

Group of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada employees.

Our Employees

At the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, we come from diverse academic fields and possess wide-ranging expertise. You can look forward to a multitude of opportunities to propel your career. We offer countless professional possibilities for financial auditors, performance auditors, and corporate services professionals. We believe in supporting your professional aspirations by providing the support, resources, training and tools you need to excel in your work and career.

Careers Our Culture

Our Values

All employees follow the Office of the Auditor General of Canada Code of Values, Ethics, and Professional Conduct to foster a professional work environment and maintain public and government trust. The code outlines responsibilities to Parliament, audit entities, the public, and the OAG. Employees must certify compliance annually.

Respect for Democracy and Independence

We carry out work in a non‑partisan, objective and fair manner, applying standards and policies with discernment as appropriate.

Excellence

We share knowledge, collaborate with others, look for opportunities to innovate and take intelligent risks that create value for Canada’s peoples, their public institutions, and the OAG.

Stewardship

We make use of entrusted resources to deliver products and services that have a positive, sustainable and measurable impact for Canada’s peoples.

Integrity

We are accountable for behaving ethically to carry out our professional duty, achieve the OAG’s business outcomes, and deliver on commitments made.

Respect for People

We value and trust others, respect their expertise and diversity, and create opportunities to connect with them in an open and honest manner.

Planning and Results

The OAG publishes reports outlining its plans, priorities, performance, and commitment to employment equity. It also releases a sustainable development strategy every 3 years.

To assess workplace satisfaction and engagement, the OAG regularly surveys its employees. It also produces:

Additionally, the OAG surveys parliamentarians and other report users to ensure their needs are being met.

Quality Assurance

The Office of the Auditor General of Canada seeks to adhere to the highest standards and is committed to continuous improvement in all areas of its operations.

Quality Assurance Reviews

We ensure our work meets professional standards through:

a mandatory audit methodology aligned with professional standards
ongoing quality checks during and after audits
external reviews and expert input for performance audits
regular practice reviews and internal audits of management and administration

We also annually assess our quality control system and share results with management and staff.

Who Audits the OAG?

Every year, an external auditor appointed by the Treasury Board of Canada audits the OAG’s financial statements. The auditor’s report is submitted to the Treasury Board and is tabled in the House of Commons.

Like other federal government organizations, the OAG submits annual spending estimates to Parliament and appears before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to explain its estimates, priorities, and management practices.

The OAG also voluntarily subjects its work to independent external reviews.

Brief History of the OAG

Explore the OAG’s journey—from its early beginnings to the independent, trusted institution it has become today.

1878

John Lorn McDougall is appointed first independent Auditor General of Canada to examine and report on past transactions and approve or reject the issuance of
government cheques.

1931

Parliament transfers cheque-issuing responsibility to the Comptroller of the Treasury, which establishes a clearer distinction between the responsibilities of the Auditor General and the government.

1950s - 1970s

During this transition period, the Auditor General begins to report on “non-productive payments,” such as administrative costs, grants, donations, subsidies, and pensions.

1977

The Auditor General Act clarifies and expands the Auditor General’s responsibilities:

The Auditor General is given a broader mandate to examine how well the government manages its affairs.
The act emphasizes the principle that the Auditor General does not comment on policy choices but examines how policies are implemented.

1995

The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is established within the OAG.

Page details

2026-02-26

Language selection

Search