City Court of Audit

In accordance with Section 74 of the Municipal Code of the Provincial Capital of Innsbruck (IStR), the Mayor is required to establish a department within the City Council to act as the City Audit Office. It is responsible for the independent audit of the financial management of the City of Innsbruck and its commercial enterprises, as well as (subject to certain legal conditions) the city’s shareholdings, foundations and funds. In addition, the City Audit Office audits the use of subsidies granted by the City of Innsbruck.

The City Audit Office was founded in 1931 and occupies a special position within the City Council as its only department operating independently of instructions. The City Audit Office team is obliged to carry out its duties objectively and in the interests of the citizens. Since 1 July 2026, the City Audit Office has been headed by Mag. Hannes Walder.

What is the role of the City Audit Office?

The City Audit Office’s role is to examine the use of public funds with regard to compliance with applicable regulations, economy, efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the numerical accuracy and regularity of the figures.

What does the City Audit Office audit?

• The financial management of the City of Innsbruck and its commercial enterprises
• The financial management of foundations, funds and institutions administered by bodies of the City, either alone or jointly with bodies of other local authorities and/or by associations of municipalities or by groups of persons (groups of persons) appointed for this purpose by bodies of the City, either alone or jointly with bodies of other local authorities and/or municipal associations
• Financial management of enterprises wholly or partly owned by the City of Innsbruck (see shareholdings)
• Management of natural or legal persons (groups of persons) who manage the assets of the City of Innsbruck on a fiduciary basis or for whom the City of Innsbruck has assumed a guarantee of liability
• The use of municipal funding granted to a legal entity (company, association or similar) or any other organisation

What does the City Audit Office’s report contain?

The City Audit Office summarises the findings of each audit in a report. In the report, the City Audit Office makes recommendations for:

• reducing or avoiding the use of funds
• increasing or generating revenue
• the rectification of shortcomings
• a more efficient organisation of administrative processes

What happens to the City Audit Office’s reports?

The report is forwarded to the Control Committee, the Mayor, the relevant member of the City Senate, the Director of the City Administration and the audited body (the legal entity or the enterprise). In addition, the chairpersons of the groups and parties on the Innsbruck Municipal Council receive the report.

The Control Committee is responsible, amongst other things, for dealing with the audit reports forwarded to it by the City Audit Office. Subsequently, this body must report to the Municipal council on its handling of the City Audit Office’s audit reports within six months of their receipt.

Test reports