Scale audit fees

  1. Should the move to Universal Credit be resulting in a reduction in the Housing Benefit Subsidy Work

    PSAA has no power under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 or the Regulations to make arrangements or appointments for assurance on grant certification claims and returns. Certification requirements for Housing Subsidy are set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and delivered under a tri-partite agreement between DWP, the local authority, and […]

    Read more of: Should the move to Universal Credit be resulting in a reduction in the Housing Benefit Subsidy Work
  2. Why do we not have freedom to go to any registered auditor to obtain our audit, the same as corporate entities

    The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 requires that firms and individuals must be authorised to undertake the audits of the bodies specified in the legislation. This is managed by ICAEW, which maintains a register of approved firms and individuals. For organisations that have opted into the PSAA arrangements, PSAA acts as the appointing person […]

    Read more of: Why do we not have freedom to go to any registered auditor to obtain our audit, the same as corporate entities
  3. Why can’t PSAA simplify the financial statements and have firms undertake audit work that is actually relevant? E.g. auditors employing experts to challenge the valuations provided by our professional valuers of operational assets that will never be sold

    Following the abolition of the Audit Commission, the local audit system was deliberately fragmented across several bodies. The National Audit Office produces the Code of Audit Practice which instructs and advises auditors on their legal responsibilities. The Financial Reporting Council regulates the quality of audit work, while ICAEW determines the eligibility of firms and individuals […]

    Read more of: Why can’t PSAA simplify the financial statements and have firms undertake audit work that is actually relevant? E.g. auditors employing experts to challenge the valuations provided by our professional valuers of operational assets that will never be sold
  4. My organisation now falls below the smaller body threshold – do we have to remain with PSAA for the duration of the contract or can we change to SAAA now?

    If your organisation meets the requirements to be treated as a smaller authority, it will automatically fall under the SAAA regime unless it opts to be treated as a ‘full audit authority.’ PSAA contracts with supplier firms to deliver audits for organisations that require an audit under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Your […]

    Read more of: My organisation now falls below the smaller body threshold – do we have to remain with PSAA for the duration of the contract or can we change to SAAA now?
  5. Why can’t PSAA direct the auditors to complete audits or include a contractual requirement to complete an audit by a specified date. Can’t contingent fees be used to reward/penalise firms to complete audits by specified dates

    Once appointed, auditors are independent and PSAA is unable to direct their work. The Ethical Standard issued by the FRC prohibits contingent fee arrangements. This includes any agreement made at the start of an engagement where a set amount or percentage is payable to the firm upon the occurrence of a specified event or the […]

    Read more of: Why can’t PSAA direct the auditors to complete audits or include a contractual requirement to complete an audit by a specified date. Can’t contingent fees be used to reward/penalise firms to complete audits by specified dates
  6. Why don’t audit fees reduce after the first year enabling audited bodies to benefit from firms’ efficiency gains?

    The Scale Fee represents our best estimate of the cost of delivering a standard audit. We expect that general first-year costs are incorporated within the firm’s overall bid rate or otherwise absorbed by the firm. In cases where exceptional additional costs arise, such as auditing a PFI scheme, these are addressed through the fee variation […]

    Read more of: Why don’t audit fees reduce after the first year enabling audited bodies to benefit from firms’ efficiency gains?