8.—(1) A larger relevant body must ensure that the statement of accounts required by paragraphs (1) or (6) of regulation 7, as the case may be, is prepared in accordance with these Regulations.
(2) Before the approval referred to in paragraph (3) is given, the responsible financial officer of a larger relevant body must, no later than 30th June immediately following the end of a year, sign and date the statement of accounts, and certify that it presents a true and fair view of the financial position of the body at the end of the year to which it relates and of that body’s income and expenditure for that year.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), a larger relevant body must, no later than 30th September in the year immediately following the end of the year to which the statement relates—
(a)consider either by way of a committee or by the members meeting as a whole the statement of accounts;
(b)following that consideration, approve the statement of accounts by a resolution of that committee or meeting;
(c)following approval, ensure that the statement of accounts is signed and dated by the person presiding at the committee or meeting at which that approval was given; and
(d)publish (which must include publication on the body’s website), the statement of accounts together with any certificate, opinion, or report issued, given or made by the auditor under section 9 (general report) of the 1998 Act.
(4) The responsible financial officer must re-certify the presentation of the statement of accounts before the relevant body approves it.
(5) A larger relevant body must keep copies of the documents mentioned in paragraph (3)(d) for purchase by any person on payment of a reasonable sum.