Auditor General Janar Holm
Janar Holm has been Auditor General since 9 April 2018, when his first term began. On 7 February 2023, Holm was re-appointed for a second term in office, after taking his oath before Parliament, and his new term began on 11 April 2023.
Education
- Janar Holm, born on 17 August 1976 in Kuressaare, graduated in 1998 from the University of Tartu School of Law in 1998 with a Bachelor’s degree in Private Law (cum laude). He obtained his Master’s degree (magister iuris) from the same university in 2005.
Career
- Mr Holm is a long-serving state official with extensive experience in public service.
- In 1997–1998 he was Managing Director of the Estonian Traders Association.
- From there he moved to the area of government of Ministry of Education and Research — where he worked for 18 years. Over the years he held various positions: in 2004–2006 he was Director of the National Examinations and Qualifications Centre; in 2006–2007 Deputy Secretary-General for General and Vocational Education; in 2007–2008 Deputy Secretary-General for Administration; and from 2008–2017 he served as Secretary-General of the Ministry.
- In 2017, he moved to the Ministry of Social Affairs, taking up the post of Deputy Secretary-General responsible for Employment.
Recognition
- In 2024, the President of the Republic awarded Janar Holm the Order of the National Coat of Arms (Riigivapi teenetemärk) Third Class decoration.
Duties and independence of Auditor General
The Auditor General is appointed to office by Parliament for a term of five years on the proposal of the President of the Republic. The National Audit Office is directed by the Auditor General, whose main role is to
- monitor how state assets are used and preserved;
- audit whether the state budget is used purposefully, lawfully and effectively;
- submit to the Riigikogu each year a report on the use and preservation of state assets;
- represent the National Audit Office in relations with Parliament, the Government of the Republic, and international organisations.
Auditor General has extensive powers in directing the National Audit Office, comparable to those of a minister who heads a ministry.
According to the Estonian Constitution, the Auditor General has the right to participate in the sittings of the Government of the Republic and present the National Audit Office’s position in matters concerning its functions. Such a right is very rare elsewhere in the world. In practice the participation of the Auditor General in the sittings of Government 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, 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.
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