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Independent probity support for fair, transparent and defensible decision-making.
RSM provides independent probity advisory and assurance services to help organisations manage integrity, governance and process risks across procurement, tenders, grants, transactions and other complex decision-making processes.
Our experienced probity advisers work predominantly with government agencies and public sector organisations, as well as private sector organisations requiring independent oversight of significant or sensitive processes. We take a practical, risk-based approach that supports transparency and accountability while helping your organisation achieve its commercial and operational objectives.
Probity is often considered as the "integrity & uprightness" of a process.
Public and occasionally private sector organisations, conduct tender processes and as part of these processes, often require the appointment of a probity advisor or probity auditor. RSM provides independent and objective advice on tender and transaction processes to assist organisations ensure the process is fair, equitable and most importantly, defensible.
While the majority of our projects are delivered to public sector entities, we occasionally work with private sector entities to help them assert the integrity of their specific process.
Often, we are asked to conduct an audit of the procurement process to provide an opinion as to the probity of the tender process which goes toward maintaining stakeholder confidence in the tender processes.
Probity (Auditing) Assurance Services
In delivering probity auditor services, providing a clear interpretation of the application of relevant policies, procedures and the probity framework is critical to ensure theyare consistent with government laws and legislation, guidelines and best practice principles.
We have significant experience in working with project teams to ensure policies and the interpretations of, and procedures are being incorporated into the tender processes.
We have significant experience in working with project teams to ensure policies and the interpretations of, and procedures are being incorporated into the tender processes. However, probity assurance/auditing services are provided at key project milestones where audit opinions are provided rather than the provision of ongoing probity advice.
For significant projects that have been determined as “High Value, High Risk” there is a requirement for the probity advisor and auditor roles to be separate.
Probity Risk Identification
Risks that may jeopardise the probity of the project and compliance requirements are identified from the start and on an ongoing basis.
Probity Risk Assessment and Measurement
A probity response of compensating processes or controls is only determined once the risk is assessed and mesasured to ensure the materiality of the risk justifies the allocation of resources to mitigate it.
Probity response & control optimisation
Where the materiality and probity risk profile warrant it, further probity controls and procedures may be required and it is critical to ensure that probity controls and processes are commensurate with the risk provile of the project and materiality of the risks.
Probity Monitoring
The process should be in place to ensure the ongoing monitoring of the application of the control procedures and assurance that they are operating effectively as design and intended to fulfill the compliance requirement.
Probity reporting and communicating
Probity clearance letters and reports will be provided to confirm effectiveness of others components and effectiveness of risk management.
Strengthen your procurement process
Independent probity support can help your organisation manage conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality, support consistent treatment of participants and demonstrate that key decisions have been made appropriately.
Why choose RSM?
Independent advice with a practical approach
Our national probity practice is led by experienced professionals who have supported complex procurements, transactions and decision-making processes across Australia.
RSM’s probity specialists understand that every procurement, tender and transaction carries a different level of risk. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all framework, we tailor our approach to the complexity, sensitivity and governance requirements of each project.
We work closely with project teams to identify and manage probity risks without unnecessarily complicating the procurement or transaction process.
Our specialists have experience working across Commonwealth, state and local government requirements, as well as complex public and private sector projects.
RSM combines deep probity, procurement and governance experience with a practical understanding of commercial and operational objectives. Our specialists work with organisations to identify and manage probity risks while keeping projects moving.
Our clients benefit from:
- specialist probity and procurement professionals
- experience across Commonwealth, state and local government
- support across complex and high-value procurement and transactions
- practical, risk-based advice tailored to each engagement
- independent assurance that supports transparent and defensible decisions
- access to broader RSM expertise across risk, governance, procurement and assurance.
Frequently asked questions about probity
Probity is about ensuring decisions and processes are conducted with integrity, fairness, transparency and accountability.
Effective probity helps organisations demonstrate that appropriate processes have been followed, conflicts of interest have been identified and managed, confidential information has been protected and participants have been treated consistently.
For complex or sensitive procurement and transaction processes, independent probity support can also provide greater confidence that decisions are robust and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
External probity support may be appropriate where a procurement, tender or decision-making process is particularly complex, high-value, sensitive or likely to attract significant scrutiny.
It may also be beneficial where there is a heightened risk of actual or perceived conflicts of interest, supplier complaints, confidentiality concerns or questions regarding fairness and transparency.
Engaging a probity adviser early allows appropriate governance, documentation and protocols to be incorporated into the process from the outset.
A probity adviser provides independent guidance on integrity, fairness, transparency and process issues throughout a procurement, tender or transaction. This can include reviewing documentation, advising on conflicts of interest, supporting evaluation processes and responding to probity issues as they arise.
A probity auditor independently reviews a process and provides assurance about whether relevant probity requirements, policies and procedures have been followed. This may occur at specified project milestones or once the process has been completed.
Probity in procurement refers to conducting procurement activities with integrity, fairness, transparency and accountability. Strong probity processes help ensure suppliers are treated consistently and procurement decisions can be appropriately explained and defended.
The need for a probity adviser depends on the risk, complexity and sensitivity of the process. Independent advice may be particularly valuable for complex or high-value procurements, politically sensitive projects, competitive grants, transactions with significant stakeholder scrutiny or processes involving potential conflicts of interest.
Probity advice is most effective when considered during the planning stage of a procurement, tender or transaction. Early involvement allows risks, governance arrangements and appropriate protocols to be identified before the process begins.
A probity adviser provides proactive advice throughout a procurement, tender or transaction. They help the project team identify probity risks, develop appropriate controls and respond to issues as they arise.
A probity auditor performs an independent assurance role, generally reviewing the process at agreed milestones or after completion and providing an objective opinion on whether appropriate probity requirements have been followed.
Determining which type of support you need will depend on the complexity, risk profile and governance requirements of the project.
Experience across procurement, tenders and transactions
Talk to RSM about your probity requirements
Effective probity starts with understanding the risks and governance requirements of your project.
Whether you need advice throughout a procurement or transaction, support with a specific probity issue or independent assurance over a completed process, RSM can help. Speak with our probity team about the approach that is right for your organisation.
Talk to RSM about your probity requirements
Effective probity starts with understanding the risks and governance requirements of your project.
Whether you need advice throughout a procurement or transaction, support with a specific probity issue or independent assurance over a completed process, RSM can help. Speak with our probity team about the approach that is right for your organisation.
Why RSM?
More than 26 years of experience delivering probity services across Australia.
Specialist probity and procurement professionals with deep public sector experience.
Practical, risk-based advice tailored to the complexity of each engagement.
Experience across Commonwealth, state and local government projects.
Independent support across procurement, tenders, grants and complex transactions.
Access to broader RSM expertise across risk, governance, procurement and assurance.
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