Rachael Sanders and Mark Green
With government backstops in place and major legislative shifts on the horizon, the moment for change is now.
The challenge of presenting increasingly complex financial information in a way that is meaningful and transparent has never been greater.
We spoke with Rachael Sanders, director of finance at Herefordshire Council and chair of CIPFA’s Better Reporting Group, and Mark Green, group vice chair and director of finance and resources at Maidstone Borough Council, to discuss these challenges, the ongoing changes and what needs to happen next.
As S151 officers, facing these issues daily and being responsible for presenting financial information to councillors, they have first-hand experience of the challenge.
Q: Why does the public sector reporting framework need to change – and change now?
Rachael Sanders:
Public expectations and requirements have changed, but financial reporting hasn’t kept pace. Local authority accounts are often overly technical and disconnected from the people they’re meant to both serve and provide assurance to. That’s the gap we need to close.
Mark Green:
The current framework doesn’t deliver useful financial information for councillors, residents or local authority officers, and that’s a serious red flag. We need to restore meaning and usefulness.
Q: What changes are already in motion?
Mark Green:
There are several important accounting and audit deadlines this year that are driving progress. But the real shift is what comes next: changes to the Local Authority Accounting Code of Practice, a comprehensive strategy for audit reform, and above all the launch of the new Local Audit Office in 2028.
Rachael Sanders:
The BRG is focused on improving the value of local authority accounts and increasing engagement. That means starting with the users – understanding who uses the accounts, what they need and how to communicate this information in a way that works for them. Reform needs to be system-wide, grounded in the experience and needs of real users.
Q: What could ‘fit for purpose’ look like by 2030?
Rachael Sanders:
Financial reporting should help tell the story of council performance and achievements, where risks lie, and how and why decisions have been made. We need to simplify and declutter, but we also need to be creative - using digital tools, interactive formats and clear narratives to reach different audiences to encourage engagement from different user groups.
Mark Green:
By 2030, I’d like to see the accounts being used to evaluate what really matters: risk, outcomes and value for money. That means removing excessive technical detail that detracts from the underlying information.
Q: What’s getting in the way today?
Rachael Sanders:
Complexity. We’ve built layer upon layer of requirements - often for niche use cases - which leaves us with documents few can interpret. We need to return to first principles and focus on what people really want, and need, to understand about the organisations responsible for directing taxpayers’ money.
Mark Green:
Coordination is also key. We operate within a system where there are multiple stakeholders - CIPFA, government and the FRAB – must all work together. Change needs consensus and we hope that the BRG can provide the creative stimulus to find common ground.
Q: How radical are you willing to be?
Rachael Sanders:
Very. We’re looking at simplifying pensions reporting, rethinking statutory overrides and creating digital summaries aimed at residents and taxpayers. It’s not about stepping away from compliance, regulation or transparency, it’s about making it work for real people – providing information, insight and assurance.
Mark Green:
Incremental tweaks won’t cut it. We believe that CIPFA and LASAAC need to put forward a comprehensive suite of reforms. Now’s the time to act.
Q: Final thoughts – what’s your message to the sector?
Rachael Sanders:
Success relies on collaboration and input across the sector – we need all parties to get involved. The BRG welcomes practical ideas. CIPFA’s consultation is a rare opportunity to shape how local authority reporting is done. If something doesn’t work - tell us. If you’ve got an idea for improvement - please share it.
Mark Green:
Don’t wait for permission. If you’re in a finance team thinking, “There must be a better way” - you're probably right. Speak up. Be part of building something better.
Get involved
CIPFA’s Invitation to Comment on the 2026-27 Local Authority Accounting Code has opened. To register interest, to volunteer to join the BRG or share your views, email: [email protected] or visit the webpage Better Reporting Group online.
