2024 King’s Speech: Audit Reform Announced by UK Government Government...
A seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience, Umar specialises in audit oversight, tax mitigation, and financial due diligence at Jack Ross.
Latest posts by Umar Memon (see all)
- Government Announces Audit Reform in 2024 King’s Speech - 31/07/2024
- The Importance of Regular Audits for Businesses - 21/03/2024
- Understanding Innovate UK Grants - 09/01/2024
Local Government Audit in England: An In-Depth Look
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Introduction: The Importance of Local Government Audits
Local government audits play a vital role in ensuring financial transparency and accountability within councils and other local bodies in England. These audits offer valuable insight into how public funds are managed, providing a level of assurance to taxpayers and helping organisations adhere to statutory requirements. This article will delve into the intricate framework of local government audit practices in England, covering aspects such as regulation, reporting, and the role of auditors.
Local government audits in England operate under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. This act provides the statutory foundation for appointing local auditors, setting out the accountability framework, and ensuring that local government bodies adhere to robust financial reporting standards. Understanding this act is crucial for anyone involved in the local government sector.
External Auditors: An Expert View
External auditors bring technical expertise to the table, offering a robust analysis of a council’s financial accounts. Their audit opinions serve as an authoritative voice in the sector, contributing to transparency and good governance.
Roles and Responsibilities: The Local Auditor
The local auditor plays a significant role in the local government audit process. Appointed by the Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA), these auditors carry the responsibility of scrutinising the accounts and financial arrangements of local government bodies.
Service Delivery and Reporting
Effective service delivery and transparent reporting are fundamental to a successful local government audit. The local auditor’s role includes issuing guidance, providing expertise, and ensuring that local authorities comply with financial regulations.
The Jack Ross Team has been an absolute delight. Professional, nice and fast during the Audit procedure. Thank you Jack Ross Team.
Very good service from the Jack Ross Team. They gave us good advice and completed a very efficient audit. They have a friendly and competent team. I would surely recommend them.
Brilliant service from the Jack Ross team in setting up several companies in very quick time, along with providing associated accountancy advice. Can recommend wholeheartedly as a leading accountancy practice with a can-do attitude.
First class service for many years from a first class team. Highly recommended. Prompt, commercially aware, personable.
Been using Jack Ross for a number of years. Good clear advice and nice people to do business with.
Jack Ross is based in Manchester and provides tax planning and Xero accounts. They are a long-standing and well-regarded firm with an excellent reputation. They provide their clients with exceptional service and a wealth of advice. I have no hesitation in using their professional services.
Jack Ross has been my accountants since I set up my business in 2016. From the outset I was helped with advice, support and encouragement. I cannot commend them highly enough. Always on hand to answer any question and responsive to any changes in the economy which might concern their clients. I don’t have to worry about the financial side of my business as all of that is taken care of and dealt with by Umar and the brilliant team. If you are looking for a top class accountancy firm which maintains the personal touch they are for you!
I would recommend this account, knowledgable and helpful
I can confidently recommend Jack Ross Accountants. They are continually improving their service, greatly benefiting our company as well as me personally. The team at Jack Ross have helped suggest and set up innovative accounting software, adding training and support. This alone has been a massive step towards having more control and understanding of our company finances.
We have enjoyed a solid and constructive relationship with JackRoss and Can highly recommend them for accountancy services.
We have been working with Jack Ross for over two years and the service has been fantastic. They have a great and knowledgable team who have taken good care of us and our accounts.
Meeting to review annual accounts and discuss future plans. Very productive as they definitely talk my language - on reflection probably the best such meeting in recent years. Many thanks Umar and Jamie
Jack Ross has serviced my Personal Tax requirements for the last 5 years. During some complicated challenges their advice was excellent and the customer service second to none and left me with no doubt all was in hand.
Following a recommendation, I have used Jack Ross for all my accounting needs (including payroll) since the inception of my business over 12 years ago. The relationship has been completely hassle free and I greatly value their service, which goes well beyond preparation of accounts. Their tax planning advice has been really helpful and I have always felt that they have ‘got my back’. Can’t recommend them enough.
We have finally found the Accountancy firm that we have been looking for! We switched over to Jack Ross towards the end of last year and from the very first contact to the recent submission of our end of year accounts the service provided has been fantastic and has easily exceeded our expectations. Thank you!
Excellent service; very helpful people and work done much quicker than I expected.
I have used Jack Ross as my accountants for a number of years. Their service is professional and accurate. They deal with queries promptly and I can always get hold of the person I need to speak to. Their digital product has made a big difference to the efficiency of my business. I would not hesitate to recommend them.
Jack Ross have been my family and business accountants and financial advisors for over 50 years. The delivery of services is second to none and i would recommend them to anyone. We have also built up great friendships over the years, above and beyond that of a normal business relationship which i value greatly.
We have been looked after by jack Ross for a number of years. They have given us fantastic tax advise and helped our company grow from strength to strength. A & f
Excellent advice and an understandable explanation of a very complex area of tax and corporate law which other (so called) advisors managed to totally confuse me. Thank you.
I have had a relationship with Jack Ross for several years and continue to be impressed by the proactive support and diligent advice received across the breadth of the firm. Excellent at signposting.
Jack Ross have acted for our law company for over 5 years and have been professional, prompt, and knowledgable in all aspects of our dealing with them.
External Audit: The Regulatory Environment
The regulation of local government audits falls under the remit of bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). They provide the framework for external auditors to operate effectively, ensuring that all audits meet the required standards.
The Role of the Local Government Association
The Local Government Association plays a key role in the development and delivery of local government audit standards. They provide valuable guidance, set regulatory norms, and offer support to councils in England.
Transparency and Risk: Ensuring Public Accountability
Transparency and risk management are intrinsic to local government audit practices. Monitoring systems are put in place to keep a keen eye on the accountability of public services, ranging from NHS provisions to transport infrastructure.
Financial Reporting: A Critical Component
Financial reporting is a critical element in local government audit practices. Detailed financial statements give a clear account of how public funds are used, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability.
Summary: The Vital Role of Local Government Audits
Local government audits serve a pivotal function in England, offering assurance, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds. These audits are underpinned by a solid statutory framework, expert guidance, and rigorous financial reporting standards, making them indispensable in the public sector.
Eager to ensure your organisation’s financial integrity with top-notch audit services? Complete the contact form below, and a Jack Ross Audit team member will get in touch to discuss your specific auditing requirements.
A seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience, Umar specialises in audit oversight, tax mitigation, and financial due diligence at Jack Ross.
Latest posts by Umar Memon (see all)
- Government Announces Audit Reform in 2024 King’s Speech - 31/07/2024
- The Importance of Regular Audits for Businesses - 21/03/2024
- Understanding Innovate UK Grants - 09/01/2024
Local government audits in England are primarily governed by the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. This act sets the ground rules for appointing local auditors, financial reporting, and ensuring adherence to accountability frameworks. Understanding this act is crucial for any stakeholder involved in local government.
Local auditors are generally appointed by the Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA). They play a pivotal role in scrutinising the financial accounts and arrangements of local government bodies. Their work contributes significantly to the transparency and accountability of how public funds are used.
Financial reporting is a cornerstone in the local government audit process. It includes detailed financial statements that offer a transparent account of how public money is being utilised. This aids not only in internal accountability but also gives taxpayers a clear understanding of how their funds are managed.
Client Testimonials
Explore the success stories of audit clients we’ve helped achieve great things.
The Jack Ross Team has been an absolute delight. Professional, nice and fast during the Audit procedure. Thank you Jack Ross Team. Engaging with the Jack Ross Team for our audit was one of the best decisions we've made this fiscal year. I was particularly impressed with their swift and streamlined audit process. Unlike other firms that drag on for weeks, Jack Ross was able to conclude our audit in record time without cutting corners.
Their professionalism is unparalleled; from initial consultation to final report, every interaction was marked by courtesy, respect, and a deep understanding of our unique business needs.
But what surprised me most was their warmth and friendliness; they made a typically stressful process feel almost enjoyable. It's refreshing to work with a team that combines speed and efficiency with such high levels of customer service.
If you're looking for an audit service that respects your time without compromising on quality, then look no further than Jack Ross Audit.
Their professionalism is unparalleled; from initial consultation to final report, every interaction was marked by courtesy, respect, and a deep understanding of our unique business needs.
But what surprised me most was their warmth and friendliness; they made a typically stressful process feel almost enjoyable. It's refreshing to work with a team that combines speed and efficiency with such high levels of customer service.
If you're looking for an audit service that respects your time without compromising on quality, then look no further than Jack Ross Audit.
Sofia Carlini
Financial Controller
Excellent service from the Jack Ross Audit Team. They gave us good advice and completed a very efficient audit. They have a friendly and competent team. I would surely recommend them.
I've always considered auditing a cumbersome process, but my experience with the Jack Ross Audit Team has completely changed my perspective. Their service was impeccable from start to finish. The team not only offered us invaluable advice to streamline our financial systems, but they also executed an extremely efficient audit that was far less intrusive than I've experienced in the past.
What truly sets Jack Ross Audit apart, however, is their team. Each member we interacted with was incredibly competent and genuinely friendly and approachable. They made us feel like a valued client rather than just another case file.
If you're unsure which accounting firm to choose for your audit, I can't recommend Jack Ross Audit highly enough. Their blend of professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care for their clients is rare in the financial world.
I've always considered auditing a cumbersome process, but my experience with the Jack Ross Audit Team has completely changed my perspective. Their service was impeccable from start to finish. The team not only offered us invaluable advice to streamline our financial systems, but they also executed an extremely efficient audit that was far less intrusive than I've experienced in the past.
What truly sets Jack Ross Audit apart, however, is their team. Each member we interacted with was incredibly competent and genuinely friendly and approachable. They made us feel like a valued client rather than just another case file.
If you're unsure which accounting firm to choose for your audit, I can't recommend Jack Ross Audit highly enough. Their blend of professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care for their clients is rare in the financial world.
Katrien Vanassche
Financial Director
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