EU Auditors publish annual reports on EU agencies (further reports to come by mid-November)
The European Court of Auditors i has today published the second of a series of reports on the annual audits of the European agencies, offices and other bodies in 23 EU languages.
EU auditors issued unqualified (i.e. clean) opinions on the accounts and related transactions of the following agencies for the 2016 financial year:
The auditors concluded that the final 2016 accounts of all eleven agencies, comprising the financial statements and the reports on the implementation of the budget, were based on international public-sector accounting standards and presented fairly, in all material respects, their financial standing at the end of 2016, the results of their operations, cash flows and changes in net assets for the year. They also concluded that the transactions related to their annual accounts for 2016, both revenue and payments, complied with the relevant rules in all material respects.
For 2016, the EU auditors are examining the accounts and related transactions of 41 European agencies, offices and other bodies, as well as eight joint undertakings and European Schools. The results of these audits are used by the European Parliament and the Council or other discharge authorities.
The remaining reports on the annual audits are expected to be published by mid-November on the EU auditors’ website, including a separate document summarising the results and main findings. Each one will be announced individually via Twitter @EUauditors.
Background information
The European agencies are distinct legal entities set up by secondary legislation to carry out specific technical, scientific or managerial tasks that help the EU institutions design and implement policies. They are highly visible in the Member States and have significant influence on policy and decision-making and programme implementation in areas of vital importance to European citizens’ daily lives, such as health, safety, security, freedom and justice.
The European Court of Auditors examines the accounts of all agencies set up by the EU, in accordance with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The auditors provide assurance as to the reliability of their accounts and the legality and regularity of their related transactions. They carry out analyses, test individual revenue and payment transactions, and assess key controls in the agencies’ supervisory and control systems. The focus of these audits is not on performance, but the auditors do take into account any risks arising from weak performance or financial management.