The State Audit Office of Latvia has informed the Ministry of Finance and the Saeima Budget and Finance (Tax) Committee of its decision to invite the Saeima to waive the application of indexation of monthly base salary to the Auditor General and Council Members of the State Audit Office of Latvia in 2026, as provided for in the Law on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Municipal Institutions. This step will allow the State Audit Office of Latvia to reduce its remuneration expenses for the next year by 36,380 euros.
Auditor General Edgars Korčagins points out, “At a time when the country as a whole is undergoing a review of state budget expenditure, this is a conscious and responsible decision, which is part of our consistent approach to review our costs regularly, find opportunities to save and act in accordance with the interests of the state. The State Audit Office of Latvia both demands and expects responsible behaviour from others and practices it itself first to set an example. Reviewing expenditure should not only be a campaign-type activity, but also a systematic and integral part of the daily work of state administration. The State Audit Office of Latvia is already implementing specific measures to streamline and reduce our administrative expenditure by finding various solutions with a positive long-term effect.” For instance, the State Audit Office of Latvia has been implementing the Greening Plan from 2022, under which the purchase of drinking water in packages has been discontinued by giving preference to tap water, and other initiatives have been implemented to reduce both the financial and environmental footprint in the long term. In its turn, when moving to new office premises in 2027, at least 343.3 thousand euros will be saved every year.
The total budget of the State Audit Office of Latvia is 8.3 million euros for 2025, of which almost 90% is planned for the payment of remuneration.
One should add that the implementation of the recommendations provided in the audits conducted by the State Audit Office of Latvia has brought measurable benefits in money. The achieved financial return for 2024 is 1:4.75, that is, for every euro spent to ensure the work of the State Audit Office of Latvia, its work has generated a return of 4.75 euros. At the same time, many successfully implemented recommendations of the State Audit Office of Latvia benefit the public that are not measurable in money. For example, the opportunity to receive equal social support in certain life situations regardless of which local or regional government a person lives in.
About the State Audit Office of Latvia
The State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia is an independent, collegial supreme audit institution. The purpose of its activity is to find out whether the actions with the financial means and property of a public entity are legal, correct, useful and in line with public interests, as well as to provide recommendations for the elimination of discovered irregularities. The State Audit Office conducts audits in accordance with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions INTOSAI (ISSAI), the recognition of which in Latvia is determined by the Auditor General. Upon discovering deficiencies, the State Audit Office of Latvia provides recommendations on resolving these issues and informs law enforcement authorities about any potential infringements of the law.
Additional information
Mr Aivis Majors
PR Specialist in Digital Content Development
of Communication Division
Ph: 23282284 | E-mail: Aivis.Majors@lrvk.gov.lv