The audit methodology, including this 2021 update, has been prepared with the objective to assist the Commission auditors and audit authorities (AAs) for their audits pursuant to Article 127 of the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR). The methodology sets out the overall audit approach of the Commission services for carrying out audits of financial instruments in accordance with the applicable rules. It focuses on the key risk areas that might have a material impact in terms of legality and regularity of the expenditure related to the financial instruments operations.