Hämeenlinna City: Broad expertise of audit partner adds value

Hämeenlinna, a Finnish city, faces complex financial management challenges typical of public sector organisations. Large changes in the public sector and the current global situation create new challenges for municipal finances. The city's finance unit needed strong support from both internal organisational cooperation and external partners like auditors. The finance function required auditors who understood public sector accounting complexity whilst also being able to provide consultative support and expertise beyond traditional audit functions. The city needed to balance audit independence with access to expert guidance on financial and administrative matters.

BDO has served as Hämeenlinna's audit partner for over 17 years through multiple competitive procurement processes. BDO's solution includes: comprehensive audit services for the city; consultative support and expertise in financial and administrative matters; fast response times to questions and requests; direct and helpful interaction with finance staff; and continuity through consistent contact persons. BDO's approach emphasises understanding the organisation and its operations, providing value through both audit expertise and broader financial guidance. The partnership balances audit independence requirements with the ability to offer consultative assistance and professional expertise. BDO's team demonstrates a helpful, accessible approach to working with the city's finance function.

Hämeenlinna has maintained a long-term partnership with BDO for over 17 years, with BDO being selected through multiple competitive procurement processes. The city benefits from: comprehensive audit services; fast and helpful responses to financial and administrative questions; consistent contact persons who understand the organisation; and access to broader expertise beyond traditional audit functions. The finance director and team members consistently praise the interaction quality with BDO. The partnership demonstrates the value of long-term relationships where the audit partner understands the organisation's operations and can provide both rigorous audit services and helpful consultative support. The city's experience shows that BDO has successfully created a culture and approach that emphasises helpful, professional service delivery.