Reported vs evidence
Reported Achievement Overstatement Rate
When auditors must adjust reported achievements downward after testing the evidence, the gap measures how far the performance report drifted from what the documents actually support.
Why Overstatement Rate Matters
Reported performance must be useful and reliable, meaning every claimed achievement is backed by valid, accurate and complete evidence. A high rate of downward adjustment after AGSA testing points to overstated results and is a direct route to a finding on the usefulness and reliability of performance information. AuditPro Core compares reported figures with substantiated figures so overstatement is quantified before the auditors arrive.
The Numbers
AuditPro Core renders this view from your tenant's live, tamper-evident records. The figures below are illustrative sample data.
Targets tested
210
Adjusted down
34
16%
Reported rate
81%
Audited rate
69%
▼ 12pp
Reported vs audited achievement %
Largest overstatements
| Indicator | Reported | Audited |
|---|---|---|
| Households connected to water | 4200 | 3110 |
| Km roads resurfaced | 58 | 41 |
| RDP houses handed over | 612 | 488 |
Figures shown are illustrative sample data for demonstration. AuditPro Core renders these views from your own tenant's live, tamper-evident records.
Reliability of Performance Information
An achievement is only reliable if it is supported by evidence that is valid, accurate and complete. Where testing cannot confirm the reported number, the auditor adjusts it down and the difference is overstatement.
Where Overstatement Comes From
Common causes are counting outputs that did not occur, weak portfolios of evidence, and reporting against a target that was quietly redefined mid-year. Each inflates the achievement rate without delivery to match.
Consequence for the Opinion
Material overstatement undermines the credibility of the whole performance report and can lead to an adverse finding on reported performance against predetermined objectives.
How AuditPro Core Bridges the Gap
- Evidence reconciliation: each reported achievement is matched to its supporting portfolio of evidence before submission.
- Exception workflow: claims without sufficient evidence are flagged for correction rather than reported and later adjusted.
- Traceability to source: every figure traces to the underlying records that substantiate it.
- Audit-ready output: the substantiated achievement schedule exports as evidence for the AOPO working paper.
Key Takeaways
- Overstatement is the gap between reported and evidence-supported achievement.
- Reliable performance information needs valid, accurate and complete evidence.
- Mid-year target redefinition is a frequent and avoidable cause of overstatement.
- Quantifying the adjustment rate before the audit prevents surprise findings.
See This on Your Own Data
AuditPro Core renders this dashboard from your tenant's live, tamper-evident records — every figure traceable to source.