COA flags critical shortage of field auditors as 'cause for concern'

The Commission on Audit (COA) has admitted to a shortage of field auditors that officials characterized as a "cause for concern," during the House of Representatives' Committee on Appropriations budget hearing for the agency on Tuesday.

COA Assistant Commissioner Lorna Cabochan disclosed the staffing challenge when lawmakers questioned the commission's operational capacity during deliberations on the agency's 2027 budget allocation. The shortage of field auditors represents a potential constraint on COA's ability to conduct comprehensive audits of government agencies and programs across the country.

Field auditors are essential personnel tasked with conducting on-site examinations of government transactions, accounts, and operations. The COA's mandate to audit all government entities—from national agencies to local government units—requires a substantial workforce spread across the country to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities effectively.

The admission of staffing shortages comes as Congress evaluates the agency's resource requirements and operational needs for the coming fiscal year. Lawmakers are expected to consider whether increased budget allocation could help address the audit workforce gap and strengthen the COA's oversight functions.