A 'back to the future' approach for local government audit is not realistic, according to Steve Freer, chairman of audit oversight body Public Sector Audit Appointments.
The new local government audit body proposed by the Redmond Review should produce an annual report on the whole local government sector, CIFPA has said.
More than half of local authority audit opinions for 2019-20 missed the extended 30 November deadline, according to oversight body Public Sector Audit Appointments.
A 25% increase in audit fee variation rates for 2020-2021 is being proposed by the Public Sector Audit Appointments, following recommendations from the Redmond Review.
Audit firms Mazars and Grant Thornton have been asked to implement quality action plans after the Financial Reporting Council was critical of audit quality.
Many of the recommendations in the Redmond Review can be carried out in the short-term without the need for new legislation, Sir Tony Redmond has told the PF Live conference.
A proposed additional statement on local authority accounts outlined in the Redmond Review could lead to additional work and extra costs for councils, Sir Tony Redmond said.