Audit
Qualified opinion for Lancashire accounts
Lancashire CC’s auditors have issued a qualified opinion on the county’s value for money work amid lingering concerns over children’s services and internal controls.
New CIPFA president aims to simplify accounts
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) new president has said she wants to use her year at the helm to simplify council accounts.
'Hard decisions' ahead for council facing £23m budget gap
A council that relied on reserves to cover budget shortfalls in 2017/18 has been told by auditors it now faces ‘hard decisions’.
County chiefs show red to traffic light ratings
County council chief executives have broken cover to warn that plans for a traffic light-style financial resilience rating system ‘risk over-simplifying complex issues’.
Page: Northamptonshire is wake up call
Public services are lacking the insight offered by the Audit Commission when it comes to an early warning over financial problems, pollster Ben Page has said.
CIPFA president warns of trust breakdown
There has been a ‘universal breakdown in trust’ in public services, the incoming president of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), Sarah Howard, has claimed.
EXCLUSIVE: Council faces tribunal flood
Lancashire CC is facing a deluge of employment tribunal claims from disgruntled former managers as it tries to recruit a permanent chief executive.
Caught in the traffic lights
As CIPFA members gather in Bournemouth for its annual conference, much attention will be paid to its proposals for a ‘resilience index’. Rob Whiteman explains to Heather Jameson why the system of self-regulation needs to change.
£2m Capita repayment after 'fraud'
Contractor Capita has been forced to repay £2m to Barnet LBC following an alleged fraud by an ex-member of staff within joint venture project Re.
NAO to reinforce external auditing
The National Audit Office (NAO) is to reinforce the importance of external auditor reporting after warnings were raised but ignored by Northamptonshire CC.
Finance director in transformation spending warning
Reading Council has been warned it has no room for ‘slippage’ in pursuit of savings following concerns over how other authorities have used capital receipts.
Morse to maintain audit standards
National Audit Office chief Sir Amyas Morse has insisted he will not lower the standards expected from local auditors despite market concentration and plummeting fees.
Audit verdict on broadband venture
Auditors have handed Aylesbury Vale DC 22 recommendations to improve its commercial projects after the sale of its broadband company.
Auditor attacks Northamptonshire reporting
Financial reporting at Northamptonshire CC was too ‘vague’ and lacked crucial detail prior to the county’s Section 114 notice, a new audit report has revealed.
Warning ahead of Big Four shake-up
A shake-up of the Big Four accountancy firms could lead to changes in the new sector-led audit procurement process.
Standards split between officers and councillors
Councillors and officers are divided over the future of the standards regime, with politicians backing the existing approach dismissed as a ‘toothless tiger’ by officials.
Chiefs attack 'light touch' approach to standards
England has been left with a ‘light touch approach to local government standards reliant on local codes, implementation and sanction,’ council chief executives have warned.
Accounts Commission: ALEOs could become less attractive option in future
Scotland’s 130 council ALEOs (Arms-Length External Organisations) could become a less attractive option in future, according to a report by a public spending watchdog.
CIPFA urges LOBO review
Finance experts have urged local authorities to review their Lender Option Borrower Option (LOBO) loans to ensure they are satisfied with their treatment in their accounts.
Cheapest bid first 'putting services at risk'
MPs investigating the Carillion insolvency have blasted the Government for putting public services at risk.