EU accounts better managed, says Bourn

19 Apr 07
Auditor general Sir John Bourn has welcomed improvements in the financial management of the European Union, although for the twelfth year in a row auditors refused to give the EU accounts full approval.

20 April 2007

Auditor general Sir John Bourn has welcomed improvements in the financial management of the European Union, although for the twelfth year in a row auditors refused to give the EU accounts full approval.

The National Audit Office's report on the 2005 EU accounts, published this week, notes that the European Commission had produced its annual accounts on an accruals basis for the first time.

'This important development was achieved within an ambitious timescale,” says the NAO.

The Court of Auditors also observed that improvements in financial management, such as progress on agricultural payments subject to the Integrated Administration and Control System, had been consolidated in 2005.

Bourn said: 'There has been some progress in strengthening the financial management of European Union funds… But the achievement of a positive statement of assurance on the underlying expenditure remains a significant challenge for the future.

'It is essential to maintain the momentum… it requires the support and co-operation by all the authorities — the [European] Commission, the Council, the Court and member states.'

Bourn also examined auditors' findings in relation to the UK, where problems were noted with customs checks and flock registers, and with control systems governing structural measures expenditure.

PFapr2007

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