CIPFA launches drive for ‘easier to understand’ public accounts

17 Jul 19
A survey launched by CIPFA is seeking views about the problems citizens face when looking at local authority accounts.

The institute wants people to be able to hold authorities to account better by simplifying financial statements which show how their tax is spent.

Don Peebles, head of policy and technical at CIPFA, said: “Local government accounts are the primary means by which the public can find out how their hard-earned taxes are being spent.

“Users should be able to access intelligible information that provides meaningful detail on how their council spends its money.

“Whether you’re a public sector finance professional, or a resident who wants to better understand where your council tax goes, we want to know how the accounts can better meet your needs.”

The survey, which opened on Tuesday, will run until 23 August 2019 and will aim to help make local authority accounts “an exemplar of clear reporting” of the financial position of public sector bodies.

Last week, at CIPFA’s annual conference, communities secretary James Brokenshire announced an independent review of local audit, to be led by former CIPFA president Tony Redmond.

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