Go to content

What we do

We take a critical look at developments in society and at ministries and institutions at arm’s length from central government, and assess trends in European funds flows. We analyse risks to identify the areas in which central government policy is exposed to the greatest risks of irregularity, inefficiency and ineffectiveness. 

Strategy & work programme

Our strategy is the starting point for everything we do. It defines the contribution we make to improving the performance and functioning of public administration. To implement the strategy we prepare a work programme that we can update when necessary during the year.
On adopting the work programme, the Board of the Netherlands Court of Audit selects the areas in which we will make a project proposal. A project proposal sets out:

  • the audit subject;
  • the problem definition and audit approach;
  • the audit questions;
  • methods and techniques to be applied;
  • the applicable standards;
  • the expected results;
  • a summary of the costs;
  • an overview of potential risks.

Our mandate

We want central government to account fully for its budget and policies. The Netherlands Court of Audit has a statutory duty to audit the government’s accounts. Our audit mandate gives us unique and special legal powers to do so. We have a right to inspect all the relevant information we need to exercise our tasks – including confidential information.

Our standards

The quality of our audit findings must be beyond question. We must present the findings in the right way, in the right place and at the right time in order to maximise our contribution to the performance and functioning of central government.
Our work is founded on three standards:

  • quality above all else; proven quality standards and thorough working methods underpin all our products;
  • investments in new methods and techniques; we are receptive to the opportunities offered by advances in ICT and scientific innovations;
  • greater reach, deeper cooperation; to be effective, we work at home and abroad with fellow supreme audit institutions, other High Councils of State and public knowledge institutions.