For the sixth consecutive year, the Danish State Auditors (Statsrevisorerne) have expressed reservations regarding the Danish national accounts, according to a recent statement. The audit, conducted by the National Audit Office of Denmark (Rigsrevisionen), reveals that while the overall national accounts for 2023 do not contain significant errors, there are issues in financial management within three specific ministries.

The State Auditors have voiced strong dissatisfaction over having to issue reservations for the accounts of the Ministry of Business (Erhvervsministeriet), the Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing and Elderly (Social-, Bolig- og Ældreministeriet), and the Ministry of Justice (Justitsministeriet). Each of these ministries is facing different challenges:

– The Ministry of Business’s reserve for phasing out oil and gas production in the North Sea does not align with the anticipated costs.
– The Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing and Elderly has reported incorrect valuations of reserves and receivables within the housing sector.
– The Ministry of Justice, on the other hand, has reported fine revenues in incorrect accounting years.

The accounts of the other ministries show no major errors or deviations. However, the National Audit Office has noted certain issues in the accounts of the Ministry of Taxation (Skatteministeriet) and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (Ministeriet for Fødevarer, Landbrug og Fiskeri) that have not been explicitly detailed.

With repeated reservations over several years, it becomes crucial for the relevant ministries to address their financial challenges swiftly to avoid further criticism.