03 May 2002
Latest National Fraud Initiative figures suggest that auditors' 'innovative data-matching techniques' have been successful in uncovering malpractice at local authority level.
District Audit, which appoints external auditors to local health and government bodies, also revealed it has met the commission's rigorous quality assessment for its services over the same period, achieving an 'above average' rating.
The report says the arm's-length agency 'met or exceeded' its target in each of its three key performance areas: the impact of audit; people issues; and financial return.
District Audit chief executive Alan Meekings said that the body also achieved its targets of helping local authorities with their modernising agenda.
He added: 'Public bodies have a difficult balancing act between forging ahead with change and keeping a focus on propriety. We work alongside our clients to target audit effort on the areas that most need it. In the past year we have made considerable progress.'
PFmay2002
