Code Of Practice On Local Authority Accounting In The United Kingdom: Guidance Notes For 2022/23 Accounts (print)

This is the hard copy version of the publication (presented as a loose-leaf update pack for your existing binder). It is also available as an online, digital version, which is a PDF that can be downloaded and shared throughout your organisation. Customers will need to register and log in to CIPFA's website to access the publication.

This year's edition of the Guidance Notes provides detailed guidance on the key accounting changes introduced by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2022/23 (the Code).

The key accounting changes in this edition of the Guidance Notes include:

• Confirmation in Module 1 Appendix B of the New or Amended Standards introduced in the 2022/23 Code.
• Updates to the methodology in Module 2, Section G for calculating year-end apportionment of NDR and council tax surpluses and deficits where an authority declared an exceptional deficit in accordance with SI 2020/1202, the Local Authorities (Collection Fund: Surplus and Deficit) (Coronavirus) (England) Regulations 2020.
• Updates to the guidance in Module 3, Section I on the disclosures for the Dedicated Schools Grant in accordance with the provisions in the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.
• Augmentations to the Appendix to Module 3, ie the example financial statements and notes to the accounts; these include changes to the accounting policies, critical judgements in accounting policies disclosure and other clarifications to the reserves disclosures.
• Explanation of the interaction of the example disclosures and accounting policies in the Appendix to Module 3 with the illustrations in CIPFA Bulletin 12 – Accounting for Infrastructure Assets – Temporary Solution.
• Description in Module 4 of the interaction of capital accounting transactions with CIPFA Bulletin 12 – Accounting for Infrastructure Assets – Temporary Solution.
• Confirmation in Module 4, Section F of the Code’s provisions to allow authorities to voluntarily adopt the provisions of IFRS 16 Leases in advance of mandatory implementation, in line with requirements set out in Appendix F.
• Confirmation in Module 4, Section G (Service Concession Arrangements) that if IFRS 16 is adopted in advance of mandatory implementation, then the service concession arrangement liability is measured in accordance with the measurement requirements of IFRS 16, as set out in Appendix F. Note that CIPFA/LASAAC is currently considering the accounting requirements for this transaction following central government changes. Separate guidance will follow CIPFA/LASAAC’s pronouncements.
• Discussion in Module 4 of the application of the Scottish Local Government Finance Circular 10/2022 – finance leases and service concession arrangements: statutory guidance.
• Discussion in Module 4 Section L of the application of the Code’s impairment provisions to infrastructure assets.
• Amendments to Module 8, Section B to clarify the treatment of social benefits under IAS 37/IPSAS 19 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.

A replacement binder/presentation box is also available to purchase.