Councillors ‘not satisfied’ with auditor’s delays

SLOUGH: Frustrated councillors are ‘not satisfied’ auditors will complete Slough Borough Council’s 2018/2019 accounts by January following mul

tiple delays, writes Local Democracy Reporter James Bagley.

External auditors at Grant Thornton faced a grilling from members of the audit and corporate governance committee on Thursday December 10, as outstanding financial statements are still yet to be signed off.

Julie Masci, engagement lead at Grant Thornton, said the 2018/19 audit is 95 per cent completed – but is still waiting for the updated final set of financial statements from a thirdparty company and a letter of assurance from the Berkshire pension fund.

It was heard an extraordinary meeting will take place on January 27 to finally sign off the accounts – subject to them being ready.

The chairman of the committee, councillor Waqas Sabah (Lab, Farnham), said he is ‘not satisfied’ the accounts will be signed off by the new promised completion date as auditors missed multiple deadlines set by new timetables.

Ms Masci said her team has stuck with the agreed timetables – but ‘subsequent issues’ have emerged from new findings and needed information from council officers in order to conclude the audit.

However, she said the audit work is completed – but this is now awaiting the final version of accounts to be checked and scrutinised.

She said: “I’m not sure what else I or my team could’ve physically done since August to move that along any quicker than we tried to do so already.”

The deputy leader of the council, councillor Sabia Akram (Lab, Elliman), said: “The greatest concern I have is the fact when the Local Government Association come in to say this committee is unaware of its statutory responsibilities and obligations, it kind of sticks in my throat a little that one of the core functions that we absolutely understand is one of the primary roles of us as committee members is we ensure the accounts are closed and finalised.

“That’s one of the greatest sticking points that not just one year – but two years are still outstanding.”

Cllr Sabah asked why there’s only a verbal update on the accounts and not a written statement on what’s outstanding and how long for as requested.

Julie Masci said she received no request or indication to provide a written update – but was happy to if it was required.

When asked if the completion of the 2019/20 accounts will be delayed, Ms Masci said they will be late as the deadline has already passed.

She also said they cannot start until the 2018/19 accounts are signed off.