Auditor General of Norway

Auditor General of Norway
Post	Auditor General
Body	Norway
Native name	Riksrevisoren
Incumbent	Karl Eirik Schjøtt-Pedersen
Incumbentsince	1 October 2013
Department	Office of the Auditor General of Norway
Reports to	Storting
Seat	Oslo
Appointer	Storting
Termlength	No fixed term
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Norway
Formation	1814
First	Jens Schow Fabricius
Website	https://www.riksrevisjonen.no/

Auditor General of Norway. The Auditor General of Norway, known as Riksrevisoren, is an independent supreme audit institution mandated by the Constitution of Norway to audit the accounts of the state and public administration. Appointed by the Storting, the Auditor General scrutinizes government activities, promotes sound financial management, and reports findings to parliamentary committees. This office is a cornerstone of parliamentary oversight and public accountability, ensuring transparency in the use of public funds.

History

The office was established in 1814 under the Constitution of Norway, with Jens Schow Fabricius serving as the first Auditor General. Its creation was influenced by the Swedish-Norwegian Union and the need for independent financial oversight of the new state. Throughout the 19th century, its role evolved alongside the expansion of the state administration, with significant reforms following the introduction of parliamentarism in Norway. The Office of the Auditor General of Norway was formally organized as a separate institution in 1918, enhancing its operational independence. Major legislative milestones include the Auditor General Act of 1977 and subsequent amendments, which solidified its modern mandate and investigative powers.

Appointment and tenure

The Auditor General is appointed by the Storting following a recommendation from the Presidium of the Storting. The appointment process typically involves hearings before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs. There is no fixed term of office, but the position is considered a lifelong appointment until the statutory retirement age of 70, ensuring independence from the executive branch. Removal from office is exceptionally rare and would require a decision by the Storting, analogous to the process for impeaching a Supreme Court Justice.

Functions and responsibilities

The primary function is to conduct financial, performance, and compliance audits of all state entities, including ministries, Statsbygg, the armed forces, and state-owned companies like Equinor and Yara International. The office examines the legality, efficiency, and effectiveness of government activities, from major projects such as the F-35 procurement to social programs administered by NAV. It also audits Norway's contributions to international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank. Its work supports the Storting's budgetary control and informs public debate on issues like petroleum revenue management.

Organizational structure

The institution is headed by the Auditor General and is divided into several departments, including the Department for Performance Audit and the Department for Financial Audit. It maintains regional offices in cities like Stavanger and Trondheim to oversee local state activities. The organization employs approximately 500 staff, including auditors, lawyers, and economists. It cooperates closely with other oversight bodies, such as the Norwegian National Audit Office (which audits municipalities) and the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Internationally, it is a member of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions and the European Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions.

Reports and publications

The office produces several key reports annually, most notably the main **Annual Report** submitted to the Storting, which details findings across all audited entities. It also issues special investigation reports on topics such as the management of the Government Pension Fund of Norway or the implementation of digitalization projects in the Norwegian Health Network. All reports are published on its official website and presented to relevant parliamentary committees, including the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Its findings frequently receive coverage in major media outlets like Aftenposten and NRK.

List of Auditors General

A chronological list of officeholders since inception includes: * Jens Schow Fabricius (1814–1828) * Poul Christian Holst (1828–1842) * Jørgen Herman Vogt (1842–1855) * Hans Christian Petersen (1855–1869) * Ole Jacob Jensen (1869–1885) * Wolfgang Wenzel Haffner (1885–1905) * Christian Holtfodt (1905–1926) * Arnold Holmboe (1927–1946) * Fritz H. Rode (1946–1964) * Andreas Zeier Cappelen (1964–1984) * John Lyng (1984–1993) * Bent G. Høie (1993–2001) * Jørgen Kosmo (2001–2013) * Karl Eirik Schjøtt-Pedersen (2013–present)

Category:Government of Norway Norway Category:1814 establishments in Norway