The National Audit Office is managed by the Auditor General, who has extensive powers in managing the National Audit Office. The Auditor General can be compared to a minister who runs a ministry. The Auditor General is appointed to office by the Parliament based on a proposal of the President. The term of office of the Auditor General is not confined to only one.

Each member of the Parliament can ask questions from the Auditor General about subjects that are of interest to them or that are on the agenda in the Parliament and fall in the area of activity of the National Audit Office.

According to the Estonian Constitution, the Auditor General has the right to participate in Cabinet meetings and present the National Audit Office’s position in matters concerning its functions. Such right is very rare elsewhere in the world. In practice the participation of the Auditor General in the Cabinet meetings has not undermined the independence of the National Audit Office. For the purpose of ensuring independence the Auditor General is, during their term of office, not allowed to:

• serve in another state authority, local authority, etc.;
• be a member of the council of a local authority, be a member of a political party or participate in political party activities;
• belong to the management board, supervisory board or a supervisory body of a company;
• engaged in business, except their personal investments and profiting therefrom as well as earning income from the disposal of their own property and assets.

Various restrictions apply to the officials of the National Audit Office as well: they are not allowed to strike or participate in other employee pressure events that disturb the activities of the National Audit Office.
 

• Posted: 5/17/2010 11:19 AM
• Last Update: 5/17/2018 3:27 PM
• Last Review: 5/17/2018 3:27 PM