COUNTRY SPECIFIC MODELS:

SWEDEN

The Central Bank

The Riksbank

Got the position as central bank in 1668.

Supervised by the Sveriges Riksbank Act.

The Constitution Act and the Riksdag Act make reference.

The Central Bank (Cont.)

The Riksbank

Administered by eight members of the Governing Board.

Two Deputy Governors act as alternates to the Governor.

Promotes contacts with the IMF, and the EMI.

The Riksbank: Responsibilities

Developments on the foreign exchange and credit markets, and for implementing necessary monetary policy measures.

Promotes price stability

Duties

Manages the foreign exchange reserves

Also promotes a safe and efficient payment system for interbank payments.
Having the responsibility for the designing, sorting and distribution of Swedens banknotes and coins.

External Audit: The Supreme Audit Institution

The Swedish National Audit Office was formed in the time of merging the National Accounts Board and the Government Audit Bureau.

The Office is the central administrative body for government accounting . It is headed by an Auditor General who is appointed by the Government for a six-year term which can be renewed.

Its role is not regulated by law, but by special state ordinances, which represent the current framework for its work.

The Parliamentary Auditors

The primary focus of the Parliamentary Auditors is on the attainment of goals and the effects of government decisions made by the Riksdag.

Specific audit objectives: 1. Examine the Riksbank s Board and internal management practices and controls. 2. Assess the Riksbank s annual report and income statement and balance sheet. 3. Report audit recommendations to the Riksdag.

Financial audits: Focus on the reliability of the accounting system. Performance audits: Focus on the performance efficiency.

The Parliamentary Auditors (cont.)

consist of 12 auditors and 12 deputy auditors

External experts are also often employed in the course of the audit work.

The total budget amounts to about 16 Million SKr.

The Parliamentary Auditors (cont.)

Audits are conducted by parliamentarians with the help of the Secretariat.

Performance, Financial and accounting audit staff skills are required to execute the audit mandate.

Annual audit plans are prepared based on input/consultation with the general public, Parliamentary Committees, Riksdag member, and the Parliamentary Auditors.