The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015

Signing and approval of statement of accounts for Category 1 authorities

9.—(1) The responsible financial officer for a Category 1 authority must, on behalf of that authority, in the following order—

(a) sign and date the statement of accounts, and confirm that they are satisfied that it presents a true and fair view of—

(i) the financial position of the authority at the end of the financial year to which it relates; and

(ii) that authority’s income and expenditure for that financial year;

(b) commence the period for the exercise of public rights in accordance with regulations 14 and 15; and

(c) notify the local auditor of the date on which that period was so commenced.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a Category 1 authority must, following the conclusion of the period for the exercise of public rights in regulation 14, in the following order—

(a) consider, either by way of a committee or by the members meeting as a whole, the statement of accounts;

(b) approve the statement of accounts by a resolution of that committee or meeting;

(c) ensure that the statement of accounts is signed and dated by the person presiding at the committee or meeting at which that approval is given.

(3) The responsible financial officer for a Category 1 authority must re-confirm on behalf of that authority that they are satisfied that the statement of accounts presents a true and fair view of—

(a) the financial position of the authority at the end of the financial year to which it relates; and

(b) that authority’s income and expenditure for that financial year,

before that authority approves it.