For officers who want to understand how to prepare and publish their council’s Annual Governance & Accountability Return on a receipts and payments basis, complying with the Accounts & Audit Regulations and the Transparency Code for Smaller authorities.
This session introduces the Annual Return and the stages of the audit process, enabling you to complete all the relevant steps correctly. It includes additional information on exemption from audit and transparency, only applicable to councils with annual receipts and payments of less than £25,000.
There are similar, alternative sessions for Councils over £25,000 (no mention of audit & transparency).
You do not need to attend more than one of these, as the content is similar.
Topics include:
• Closing the accounts
• Exemption from external audit
• Internal audit
• Reviewing internal control
• The Annual Return
• Electors rights
• Transparency and publication requirements
By the end of this session you will:
• Be able to identify the steps needed as part of the year-end process
• Understand how to close the council’s accounts
• Understand how to complete the Annual Return
• Be able to correctly allow the exercise of electors’ rights
• Be able to identify the information a small council must publish
Session leader: Steve Parkinson, The Parkinson Partnership LLP
Steve is a former Town Clerk and an accountant with 30 years’ experience in public and voluntary sector finance. He now specialises in delivering training and advice on VAT and finance matters for the local council sector.