Parliament suspended Auditor General Tytti Yli-Viikari for the period of the ongoing investigation – Director Matti Okko to act as Deputy

The Parliamentary Office Commission decided to suspend Tytti Yli-Viikari, Auditor General of the National Audit Office of Finland, for the period of the ongoing pre-trial investigation carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation. Director Matti Okko will act as Deputy to the Auditor General.

The activities of the National Audit Office of Finland are currently being investigated both internally and externally.

“Open public debate is important. It is obvious that we must carefully assess our practices and improve our operations,” says Okko.

The National Audit Office revamped its organization and strategy extensively in 2019. The aim of the change was to improve the timing of audits to ensure that the decision-makers are provided with information when they need it. Another aim was to ensure that audit competence is kept up to date. However, the NAOF’s core activities have remained unchanged: the NAOF audits the management of central government finances, monitors fiscal policy, and oversees political party and election campaign funding.

“The public debate has focused on a few individual audits and does not give a balanced overall picture of the NAOF’s audit activities. The quality control and documentation of audits are clearly defined and there are detailed guidelines related to them. Our audit and monitoring activities are based on an audit plan, which is drawn up taking into account the significance of the topics to central government finances and the risks related to them. All administrative sectors are audited regularly,” says Okko.

We will provide information on the investigations and assessments as soon as they are completed. In the meantime, for further questions and interview requests, please contact Matti Okko.