Accounting standard setters are asking the public and practitioners to help them make local government accounts more accessible and easier to understand.
A survey launched by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) today is seeking views about the problems citizens face when looking at local authority accounts.
The research aims to identify the barriers that currently stop people reading and understanding financial statements and using them to hold their council to account.
Don Peebles, Head of Policy and Technical at CIPFA, said:
“Local government accounts are the primary means by which the public can find out how their hard earned taxes are being spent. Users should be able to access intelligible information that provides meaningful detail on how their council spends its money.
“Whether you’re a public sector finance professional, or a resident who wants to better understand where your council tax goes, we want to know how the accounts can better meet your needs.”
The research comes hot on the heels of an announcement by Secretary of State James Brokenshire of a review into English local government financial reporting to be led by former CIPFA President Sir Tony Redmond.
The survey has been developed in partnership with CIPFA and the Local Authority (Scotland) Accounts Advisory Committee (LASAAC). The survey runs until Friday 23 August 2019.
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For further information please contact the CIPFA press office on T: 020 7543 5737 or E: Ashleigh.moore@cipfa.org.
About CIPFA
CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. CIPFA shows the way in public finance globally, standing up for sound public financial management and good governance around the world as the leading commentator on managing and accounting for public money.