Spending watchdog publishes Code of Audit Practice for local public bodies

The National Audit Office has published the Code of Audit Practice for the audit of local public bodies, after Parliament approved the publication.

The role of preparing and maintaining the Code of Audit Practice was transferred to the Comptroller and Auditor General (head of the NAO) as part of the Government's shake-up of local audit. This overhaul included the abolition of the Audit Commission.

The code, which sets out what local auditors must do to meet their statutory responsibilities – will take effect from 1 April 2015. It applies for audits relating to financial year 2015-16 and beyond.

Existing codes and guidance prepared by the Audit Commission and Monitor will continue to apply for audits relating to 2014-15.

The spending watchdog has also published a guide setting out public rights to inspect and raise objections to council accounts, Council accounts: a guide to your rights.

The NAO said it would issue a further updated guide later this year to reflect changes introduced by the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 that come into effect for audits of 2015-16 accounts.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: “The publication of the Code of Audit Practice is a key milestone in the transition to the new arrangements for local public audit.”