report is also used as a basis for Parliament authorising the Federal Government's budget. The annual report is presented to the public at a federal press conference. The Bundesrechnungshof may at any time submit special reports on matters of major significance to both Houses of Parliament, and to the Federal Government. The Bundesrechnungshof provides advice to the executive and legislative branches by including recommendations for improvement in its management letters and annual reports, as well as by commenting - orally or in writing - on topical issues such as government bills and major procurement projects, or in the course of the annual budget procedure. By virtue of legislation regarding German reunification, the Bundesrechnungshof's new headquarters were transferred from Frankfurt am Main to Bonn, effective 1 July 2000. The Bundesrechnungshof also has a branch office in Potsdam. History The first precursor of that auditory branch in Germany is the Prussian Audit Office. Its name as "" comes from the medivial concept of a Chambres des Comptes overseeing the spending of the state. In medieval times it did have regulatory functions which it lost to various administrative offices, so much that only reporting functions were left. The installation of a high office is influenced by the mismanagement of the Cabinet of Three Counts in Prussia (1702-1710). The "" (Prussian High Audit Office) was founded in 1714 by King Frederick William I as the "" (General Audit Office), given more powers in 1723 becoming the "" (High War and Domains Audit Office). This office did exist until 1945. It is the basis of the "" (Court of Auditors of the North German Confederation) founded in 1868, which was soon to become the "" (Court of Auditors of the German Reich) in 1871. It was reestablished in 1948 as the "" (Court of Auditors of the United Economic Area), and with the foundation of the West-German Federal Republic it became the "" (Federal Court of Audito). In 1989 the Bundesrechnungshof hosted XIII INCOSAI, the thirteenth triennial convention of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. References External links bundesrechnungshof.de Official Website of the Bundesrechnungshof bundesrecht.juris.de Art. 114 of the Basic Law Courts of Auditors of the German States Government audit German federal agencies Federal authorities in Bonn 1950 establishments in West Germany Supreme audit institutions