as the head of the national fund, bear overall responsibility for the financial management of EU funds in the beneficiary country; he shall be responsible for the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions;

be responsible for the effective functioning of management and control systems under the IPA Regulation.

provide assurance about the regularity and legality of underlying transactions;

draw up and submit to the Commission certified statements of expenditure and payment applications; the national authorising officer shall bear overall responsibility for the accuracy of the payment application and for the transfer of funds to the operating structures and/or final beneficiaries;

verify the existence and correctness of the co-financing elements;

ensure the identification and immediate communication of any irregularity;

make the financial adjustments required in connection with irregularities detected, according to the provisions of Article 50;

be the contact point for financial information sent between the Commission and the beneficiary country.

be responsible for issuing, monitoring and suspending or withdrawing the accreditation of the operating structures;

ensure the existence and effective functioning of systems of management of assistance under the IPA Regulation;

ensure that the system of internal control concerning the management of funds is effective and efficient;

report on the management and control systems;

ensure that a proper reporting and information system is functioning;

follow-up the findings of audit reports from the audit authority, in accordance with Article 30(1);

immediately notify the Commission, with a copy of the notification to the competent accrediting officer, of any significant change concerning the management and control systems.