Study on Full-Cycle Auditing of Government Investment Projects under a Research-Oriented Audit Approach

Taking the Yibin Municipal Audit Bureau as a Case Study

Abstract

Government investment projects typically involve substantial capital expenditure, long construction periods, multiple participating entities and risks that may extend across different stages, while traditional ex-post compliance auditing has limited capacity to address these risks in a timely manner. Using the Yibin Municipal Audit Bureau’s full-process audit practice as a case, this paper adopts a single-case study method and draws on publicly available policy documents and materials issued by the audit authority to examine how research-based auditing operates through pre-audit research, in-process supervision and post-audit implementation. The findings show that project pipeline management, risk profiling, in-depth analysis, data screening, mid-term consultation, rectification and the application of audit findings have shifted the focus of government investment auditing from experience-based project selection and ex-post correction towards risk identification, process supervision and governance improvement. The case also indicates that leadership by operational departments, coordination among supporting departments, institutionalised procedures and the application of digital and intelligent technologies are necessary conditions for integrating research-based auditing throughout the lifecycle of government investment projects.