The directorate is mainly responsible for informing internal and external stakeholders about the Bank’s financial position, results and performance. It has to ensure the integrity, completeness and accuracy of the Bank’s financial statements and compliance with the applicable accounting standards and best practices. In 2016, the directorate established the Internal Controls and Assertion Division, which aims to strengthen the Bank’s second line of defence and provides a common platform to assess and report on the EIB’s control risks.