The Austrian regional courts of audit are set up monocratically. The heads of these courts are elected by the regional parliaments for a specific period of time. They represent the regional court of audit externally, and are senior and authorised to issue instructions to all other staff. The heads of the courts of audit are on a level with the members of the respective government in terms of their responsibility (responsibility under constitutional law). In most federated states they have complete control over staff in matters of personnel management and performance of duties.