“Urgent improvement” is needed after a sharp rise in delayed audit opinions in local government, said the organisation that appoints auditors to 98% of council, police and fire authorities.
Auditors have warned that the financial sustainability of NHS Lothian remains a “significant risk”, with a budget gap of £26m this year expected to spiral beyond £80m by 2021-22.
It is becoming increasingly important to account for assets and liabilities in the public sector because of the rise of commercialisation, the spending watchdog has said.
Communities secretary James Brokenshire announced the government is to examine local authority financial reporting and auditing, as he gave a ministerial address at CIPFA’s annual conference today.
The auditing industry resembles a closed shop that polices itself, constantly blurs the line between providing and selling services, and is protected by government when things go wrong. There...
A number of high-profile business scandals has put auditing in the pillory. But a mixture of transparency, relevant skills and codes of practice – and good old-fashioned scepticism – can build back...
What are the challenges faced by those working within the new local audit landscape? And how can the industry create a sustainable market for the long term?
Public audit must create a clear, concise dialogue with people to regain their confidence and call out abuse where it sees it. But to do this, its independence must be protected, because without it...
Scotland’s Auditor General and the Accounts Commission are embarking on a major audit of the country’s early learning and childcare system to understand the impact of expanding services.
CIPFA chief executive Rob Whiteman raised concerns over a lack of diversity in council investments, at the annual Local Government Association conference today.
Max Caller asks if failures in local government are too easily blamed on a lack of due diligence, and whether it is really down to councillors’ political inexperience and not understanding...
Around three fifths of those who bought a home through the Help to Buy scheme would have been able to buy a property without the government’s help, according to the National Audit Office.
Wales’ new auditor general has worked in the country for 20 years but Dominic Brady finds out it is his exposure to political systems further afield that inform his view of a sustainable future.
Councils are still being called on to do more with less but the move towards investment in commercial property may not be an appropriate response, says CIPFA’s Don Peebles.
The adequacy and impact of auditor reporting is under scrutiny after an NAO report concluded that central government lacks the evidence base needed to assess governance
The government spent at least £97m on Brexit consultancy services in the last financial year - but has failed to be fully transparent with costs, the spending watchdog has found.
Amyas Morse stepped down as the head of the National Audit Office at the end of last month. Emily Twinch looks at his tenure and speaks to colleagues about his success.