PUBLIC FINANCIAL AUDIT: REALITIES, TRENDS AND DIRECTIONS OF IMPROVEMENT

The effective operation of the state, as well as its successful development, depends on the availability of budgetary funds, their proper distribution and use. That is why the problematic aspects of auditing in the field of public finance are of great importance. The state financial audit helps to assess the reliability of financial statements of state institutions and enterprises, which ensures transparency of their financial activities to the public and international partners. The audit helps to identify shortcomings in financial management and reveal opportunities for reducing costs and optimizing budget resources. Based on a thorough analysis of the national legislative and regulatory framework, the article presents the key differences between an independent audit and a state financial audit according to the following comparison criteria: concept; subjects; legal regulation; grounds for conducting; organizational and managerial support; financing; and documentation of the audit results. Particular attention is paid to the objects of the state financial audit, such as the implementation of budget programs, local budgets, activities of business entities, investment projects, use of information technology, state (regional) target programs. The article analyzes statistical reports on state financial audits conducted by the State Audit Service of Ukraine for 2018–2023. In particular, it was found that since 2019 the number of state financial audits conducted annually decreased, and in 2023 their number increased. At the same time, the share of components of the state financial audits conducted is approximately the same, except for state financial audits of investment projects, which were conducted only once in 2019 and twice in 2020. Based on the results of the state financial audits conducted in 2018–2023, the losses of financial and material resources caused by inefficient management actions or risky operations were compensated and prevented, and financial violations that caused losses of financial and material resources were eliminated. It is found that every year (except for 2021) both the amount of compensation and the amount of elimination of losses of financial and material resources, as well as the amount of eliminated financial violations, are increasing. The authors provide directions for improving the implementation of the state financial audit in Ukraine, which is an important tool for ensuring the stability and sustainable development of the Ukrainian economy, promotes confidence in public institutions, attracting investment and efficient use of budget funds.