National Audit Office consults on draft code for auditing local public bodies

The National Audit Office has launched a consultation on a draft Code of Practice for the audit of local public bodies, to replace that used by the Audit Commission.

The commission is due to be closed on 31 March, at which point the NAO will become responsible for preparing and maintaining the code of practice for local public audit, which will then be undertaken by firms appointed by councils.

The new code is expected to take effect for the 2015-16 financial year, with audit work for 2014-15 taking place under the existing code. The consultation can be viewed here.

Amyas Morse, comptroller and auditor general, said in a foreword that the code sought to preserve the independence of auditors and their ability to exercise professional judgment, based on their understanding of the sector and the particular risks and challenges that individual audited bodies face.