Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Deferred
New local audit qualification launch delayed, hindering efforts to boost auditor supply.
Conclusion
In 2021 we recommended the Department accelerate training to increase the supply of auditors quickly. The Department told us that it has worked with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA) in developing a new qualification it now expects to launch in summer 2023.56 The training aims to support senior audit staff with experience in other sectors to develop the knowledge needed to switch to local audit practice. The Department told us it sees the qualification as a stopgap to bring in extra capacity quickly while firms develop increasing numbers of local audit specialists for the longer term.57 Similarly the Department also described work it had done to enable the recruitment of overseas auditors to fill gaps in the near term.58 The Department conceded that the launch of the training had been delayed as it was taking time to get the design of it right.59
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation on auditor supply, stating that the FRC plans to progress the Local Audit Workforce Strategy and will provide a further update before the end of 2023 detailing necessary actions to address the supply of auditors.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 The Permanent Secretary has written to the Committee alongside this Treasury Minute setting out FRC’s plans to progress the Local Audit Workforce Strategy and will write again before the end of 2023 setting out the actions the FRC, working collaboratively with system partners, has determined are necessary across the local audit system.