The Audit Plan – template user guide
Contents
1. Grant Thornton The Audit Plan for Buckinghamshire County Council Year ended 31 March 2015 April 2015 Paul Grady Dominic G Bradley Director Senior Manager T 020 7728 2301 T 012 9355 4148 E Paul D Grady uk gt com E Dominic G Bradley uk gt com Marcus Ward Thomas Slaughter Manager In Charge Accountant T 020 7728 3350 T 020 7383 2972 E Marcus Ward uk gt com E Thomas M Slaughter uk gt com Grant Thornton Contents Section 1 Understanding your business 2 Developments relevant to your business and the audit Go Our audit approach 4 Significant risks identified On Other risks 6 Group audit scope and risk assessment 7 Value for Money 8 Results of interim work 9 Key dates 10 Fees and independence 11 Communication of audit matters with those charged with governance Chartered Accountants Member firm within Grant Thornton International Ltd Grant Thornton UK LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales No 0C307742 Registered office Grant Thornton House Melton Street Euston Square London NW1 2EP A list of members is available from our registered office Grant Thornton UK LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for investment business 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 Page oN QO UU A O 10 12 13 14 The contents of this report relate only to the matters which2. discussions with management and our substantive testing schools are accounted for correctly and in line with the latest guidance appropriate processes are in place in preparation for the change in basis of valuation of infrastructure assets through discussion with management Care Act 2014 We will discuss the impact of the legislative changes with the Council through our regular meetings with senior management and those charged with governance providing a view where appropriate We will discuss with management the progress made with implementing the provisions of the Care Act Explanatory foreword We will review the arrangements the Council has in place for the production of the AGS We will review the AGS and the explanatory foreword to consider whether they are consistent with our knowledge of the Council 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 4 pooled budgets will be operational from 1 April 2015 We will consider whether the BCF is a risk in the context of our VfM conclusion and will carry out further work if required changing environment Progress against savings plans We will review the Council s performance against the 2014 15 budget including consideration of performance against the savings plan We will undertake a review of Financial Resilience as part of our VFM conclusion Government accounts pack on which we provide an audit op
3. 2015 14 Audit Audit Our communication plan plan findings Respective responsibilities of auditor and management those charged v with governance Overview of the planned scope and timing of the audit Form timing v and expected general content of communications Views about the qualitative aspects of the entity s accounting and v financial reporting practices significant matters and issue arising during the audit and written representations that have been sought Confirmation of independence and objectivity A statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence relationships and other matters which might be thought to bear on independence Details of non audit work performed by Grant Thornton UK LLP and network firms together with fees charged Details of safeguards applied to threats to independence Material weaknesses in internal control identified during the audit ka Identification or suspicion of fraud involving management and or others which results in material misstatement of the financial statements Non compliance with laws and regulations Expected modifications to the auditor s report or emphasis of matter Uncorrected misstatements Significant matters arising in connection with related parties SISI SISI Significant matters in relation to going concern GrantThornton 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP All rights reserved Grant Thornton means Grant Thornton UK L
4. 2015 3 4 Financial sustainability e Whilst your current financial position is sound you face further reductions in central government funding Uncertainty regarding the outcome of the May 2015 General Election makes the preparation of forward financial forecasts more challenging You aim to achieve financial self sufficiency and to deliver savings set out within the medium term financial plan As part of our financial resilience work e We will review the key assumptions in your medium term financial plan We will consider the delivery to date of your current savings plans and the achievability and robustness of your plans for the future 5 Establishing a commercial culture You acknowledge that structural redesign will not be sufficient to effect the changes you want to make to the way that you conduct business You have established a set of principles that will promote more commercial behaviours and allow innovation but balance this with the need to deliver your priorities and overall objectives We will assess your implementation of steps to establish a more commercial culture and monitor progress as part our our Value for Money conclusion We will review the principles by which you plan to promote more commercial behaviours providing support where appropriate 6 Proposed combined authority You have published a bid jointly with Oxfordshire County Council and Northamptonshire County Cou
5. journal entry policies and procedures as part Our work has identified no material weaknesses which are of determining our journal entry testing strategy We have also likely to adversely impact on your financial statements performed risk based testing of journal entries for months 1 9 We have not identified any material weaknesses which are likely to adversely impact on your control environment or financial statements Early substantive testing of We have commenced with performing early substantive testing of Our testing is currently on going and is to be completed in expenditure expenditure for payroll expenditure and operating expenditure advance of our final accounts visit in June No issues with regard to expenditure have been noted from our work completed to date Review of change in accounting For 2014 15 revised requirements for accounting for schools assets Our work so far has identified no concerns with regard to the policy for schools assets have become effective relating to the recognition on the Balance approach adopted by the Council for accounting for schools Sheet of school buildings for Foundation Voluntary Aided and i f Voluntary Controlled schools There is significant uncertainty We will continue to engage with officers regarding the regarding how the new requirements should be interpreted by local application of the change in accounting policy and will review authorities this area in detail during our final accounts
6. misstated due to the improper recognition of Substantive audit procedures Having considered the risk factors set out in ISA240 and the nature of the revenue streams at Buckinghamshire County Council we have determined that the risk of fraud arising from revenue recognition can be rebutted because e there is little incentive to manipulate revenue recognition opportunities to manipulate revenue recognition are very limited e Your culture and ethical frameworks mean that all forms of fraud are seen as unacceptable Work completed to date e Review of control environment and internal processes in place in relation the posting of journal entries e Testing of journal entries for months 1 9 Further work planned e Review of accounting estimates judgments and decisions made by management e Testing of journal entries for months 10 12 and closedown e Review of unusual significant transactions Other risks identified The auditor should evaluate the design and determine the implementation of the entity s controls including relevant control activities over those risks for which in the auditor s judgment it is not possible or practicable to reduce the risks of material misstatement at the assertion level to an acceptably low level with audit evidence obtained only from substantive procedures ISA 315 In this section we outline the other risks of material misstatement which we have identified as a result of our planning
7. visit We have held early discussions with officers regarding the practical application of the change in accounting policy for schools assets and have reviewed the work performed to far to identify which school buildings should be brought on and off of the Balance Sheet 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 11 Key dates The audit cycle x January and March 2015 Planning and interim audit visits June August 2015 September 2015 Final accounts Visit Completion reporting Key phases of our audit October 2015 Debrief Date January and March 2015 15 April 2015 15 June to early August 2015 1 September 2015 23 September 2015 Deadline of 30 September 2015 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 Activity Planning and interim site visits Presentation of audit plan to Audit Committee Year end fieldwork Audit findings clearance meeting with Director of Financial amp Commercial Services Report audit findings to the Regulatory and Audit Committee Sign financial statements opinion Fees and independence Fees Council audit 117 450 Grant certification Teachers Pensions return 7 000 Total fees excluding VAT 124 450 Our fee assumptions include e Supporting schedules to all figures in the accounts are supplied by the agreed dates a
8. LP a limited liability partnership Grant Thornton is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd Grant Thornton International References to Grant Thornton are to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms operate and refer to one or more member firms as the context requires Grant Thornton International and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership Services are delivered independently by member firms which are not responsible for the services or activities of one another Grant Thornton International does not provide services to clients grant thornton co uk 15
9. Other reasonably possible risks Operating expenses Employee remuneration Description Creditors understated or not recorded in the correct period Employee remuneration and benefit obligations and expenses understated Work completed to date Identification of controls over operating expenses Walkthrough of the operating expenses cycle Substantive testing of operating expenditure payments for months 1 9 Identification of controls over employee remuneration Walkthrough of employee remuneration cycle Substantive testing of employee remuneration expenditure payments for months 1 9 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 7 Further work planned Testing the reconciliation of operating expenditure recorded in the general ledger to the subsidiary systems and interfaces Cut off testing to assess whether transactions are recorded in the correct period Substantive testing of operating expenditure payments for months 10 12 Substantive testing of year end payable balances Procedures to gain assurance that material goods and services received prior to the year are correctly accrued for Testing the reconciliation of payroll expenditure recorded in the general ledger to the subsidiary systems and interfaces Trend analysis and risk identification for monthly payroll costs Testing to gain assurance that remuneration for starters and leavers has been correctly accou
10. The Code requires us to issue a conclusion on whether the Council has put in place proper arrangements for securing economy efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources This is known as the Value for Money V M conclusion Our VfM conclusion is based on the following criteria specified by the Audit Commission VfM criteria The organisation has proper arrangements in place for securing financial resilience The organisation has proper arrangements for challenging how it secures economy efficiency and effectiveness Focus of the criteria The organisation has robust systems and processes to manage financial risks and opportunities effectively and to secure a stable financial position that enables it to continue to operate for the foreseeable future The organisation is prioritising its resources within tighter budgets for example by achieving cost reductions and by improving efficiency and productivity 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 We have undertaken a risk assessment to identify areas of risk to our VfM conclusion We will undertake work in the following areas to address the risks identified gt We will discuss with management and undertake a review of the plan and actions taken to address the findings noted by OFSTED in their report dated August 2014 relating to the provision of children s services lt We will review your arrangements for secu
11. ans for improvements to Children s Services with relevant senior management 2 Structural change As part of your Future Shape programme you have designed and are in the process of implementing structures that will move you to becoming a commissioner and co ordinator rather than a provider of services These structures provide opportunities to develop new ways of working but present challenges in terms of governance accountability and assurance We will consider the implementation of the Future Shape programme after it goes live on 15 April 2015 as part of the work supporting our Value For Money conclusion We will assess the appropriateness of the new governance and accountability frameworks Challenges opportunities 3 New delivery models You have established new service delivery models including e Buckinghamshire Museum Trust to operate the County Museum e Buckinghamshire Law Plus to sell legal services with a view to generating profit e Other separately structured business units introduced as part of the Future Shape programme e We will review the roll out of new service delivery models to assess whether business units have been implemented in a manner that allows the desired financial and service outcomes to be achieved e We will evaluate the management arrangements in place to support the transition 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April
12. areas where we consider that there is a risk of material misstatement to the financial statements being employee remuneration and operating expenditure Our work has not identified any issues which we wish to bring to your attention Internal controls have been implemented in accordance with our documented understanding Review of information technology Our information systems specialist performed a high level review of controls the general IT control environment as part of the overall review of the internal controls system We have also performed a follow up of the issues that were raised last year 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 10 Conclusion Overall we have concluded that the internal audit service continues to provide an independent and satisfactory service to the Council and that internal audit work contributes to an effective internal control environment at the Council Our review of internal audit work has not identified any weaknesses which impact on our audit approach Our work has not identified any weaknesses which impact on our audit approach The findings from our initial review are currently being considered and discussed with the relevant officers We will report at a future date upon the outcomes from this review Results of interim audit work continued Work performed and findings Conclusion Journal entry controls We have reviewed your
13. detail General audit procedures Financial statements v e Test of detail Anal d e Substantive Report output nalyse data ETEMITE using relevant i to teams review parameters Conclude and report Documents processes and controls Significant risks identified Significant risks often relate to significant non routine transactions and judgmental matters Non routine transactions are transactions that are unusual either due to size or nature and that therefore occur infrequently Judgmental matters may include the development of accounting estimates for which there is significant measurement uncertainty ISA 315 In this section we outline the significant risks of material misstatement which we have identified There are two presumed significant risks which are applicable to all audits under auditing standards International Standards on Auditing ISAs which are listed below Significant risk Description The revenue cycle includes fraudulent transactions revenue This presumption can be rebutted if the auditor concludes that there is no risk of material misstatement due to fraud relating to revenue recognition Management over ride of controls Under ISA 240 the presumption that the risk of management over ride of controls is present in all entities 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 Under ISA 240 there is a presumed risk that revenue may be
14. have come to our attention which we believe need to be reported to you as part of our audit process It is not a comprehensive record of all the relevant matters which may be subject to change and in particular we cannot be held responsible to you for reporting all of the risks which may affect the Council or any weaknesses in your internal controls This report has been prepared solely for your benefit and should not be quoted in whole or in part without our prior written consent We do not accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any third party acting or refraining from acting on the basis of the content of this report as this report was not prepared for nor intended for any other purpose Understanding your business i In planning our audit we need to understand the challenges and opportunities the Council is facing We set out a summary of our understanding below Improving Children s Services e In response to a report issued by Ofsted in August 2014 you are undertaking an improvement programme to invest improving the quality of care provided within the Children s Services team You have committed to investing an additional 4 8m of funding from the General Fund into Children s Services for 2014 15 As part of out Value for Money assessment e We will review the efforts undertaken to improve the level of quality of service provided by Children s Services We will discuss your continuing future pl
15. inion The Council completes the Teachers Pensions return on which audit certification is required We will carry out work on the WGA pack in accordance with requirements We will certify the Teachers Pensions return in accordance with the relevant certification instructions Our audit approach 1 a Understanding and the entity Understanding gt the business Understanding _ management s focus gt Evaluating the gt year s results Voyager _ the environment Creates and tailors audit programs Global audit technology Inherent Develop audit plan to risks obtain reasonable assurance that the Financial Statements a as a whole are free Significant from material risks misstatement and 3 gt prepared in all material respects Other with the CIPFA Code risks of Practice framework using our global methodology and audit software Material balances Note a An item would be considered material to the financial statements if through its omission or non disclosure the financial statements would no longer show a true and fair view 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 5 Stores audit evidence Ensures compliance with International Standards on Auditing ISAs Devise audit strategy planned control reliance Extract your data v e Test controls e Substantive analytical review e Tests of
16. ncil to establish a combined authority to take on responsibilities for spatial planning as well as transport and skills development This is an ambitious proposal and will require approval from central government in order to proceed We will review the bid document for the proposed combined authority We will discuss with management the proposed venture to determine whether appropriate governance and management structures are in place to support the bid Developments relevant to your business and the audit In planning our audit we also consider the impact of key developments in the sector and take account of national audit requirements as set out in the Code of Audit Practice the code and associated guidance Developments and other requirements 1 Financial reporting 2 Legislation 3 Corporate governance 4 Better Care Fund 5 Financial Pressures 6 Other requirements e Changes to the CIPFA Code e Local Government Finance e Annual Governance e Better Care Fund BCF e Managing service provision e The Council is required to of Practice settlement Statement AGS plans and the associated with less resource within a submit a Whole of Changes to the recognition of school land and buildings on local authority balance sheets Future changes announced in relation to accounting for transport infrastructure assets We will review whether e the Council complies with the requirements of the CIPFA Code of Practice through
17. nd in accordance with the agreed upon information request list The scope of the audit and the Council and its activities have not changed significantly e The Council will make available management and accounting staff to help us locate information and to provide explanations Fees for other services Service Fees None Nil Independence and ethics We confirm that there are no significant facts or matters that impact on our independence as auditors that we are required or wish to draw to your attention We have complied with the Auditing Practices Board s Ethical Standards and therefore we confirm that we are independent and are able to express an objective opinion on the financial statements Pull details of all fees charged for audit and non audit services will be included in our Audit Findings report at the conclusion of the audit We confirm that we have implemented policies and procedures to meet the requirement of the Auditing Practices Board s Ethical Standards 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 13 Communication of audit matters with those charged with governance International Standards on Auditing ISA 260 as well as other ISAs prescribe matters which we are required to communicate with those charged with governance and which we set out in the table opposite This document The Audit Plan outlines our audit strategy and plan to deliver the audit
18. nted for Substantive testing of payroll payments for months 10 12 assessing whether payments are made in accordance with the individual s contract of employment and deductions are correctly calculated Testing to confirm the completeness of payroll transactions and appropriate cut off Group audit scope and risk assessment Under International Financial Reporting Standards IFRS it is a requirement for consolidated group financial statements to be prepared where group interests are material In recent years you have been involved in the establishment of new corporate entities in order to aid service delivery and this has necessitated that an assessment be performed to decide whether group financial statements are required to be produced For 2014 15 you have assessed that you do not need to produce group financial statements We have reviewed the preliminary group accounts assessment and based on this we would not challenge the rationale for not producing consolidated financial statements We will seek to confirm this after the year end by reviewing the final year end outturn position for all components with the group and reviewing the governance arrangements The assessment of individual entities potentially eligible for consolidation is set out below Entity Adventure Learning Foundation Buckinghamshire Care Buckinghamshire Law Plus Buckinghamshire Learning Trust Buckinghamshire Museum Trust Nature of entity Charity p
19. ring financial resilience for 2014 15 and for future periods and we will assess the adequacy of the Council s medium term financial strategy We will review actions taken and progress made regarding the implementation of restructuring and setup of new delivery models as part of the Future Shape project We will review the roll out of new service delivery models and evaluate the governance arrangements in place to support the transition gt We will monitor progress made in your efforts to establish a commercial culture We will evaluate progress made with implementing the provisions of the Care Act and in developing your plans relating to the Better Care Fund The results of our VfM audit work and the key messages arising will be reported in our Audit Findings report and in the Annual Audit Letter Results of interim audit work The findings of our interim audit work and the impact of our findings on the accounts audit approach are summarised in the table below Work performed and findings Internal audit We have reviewed internal audit s overall arrangements in accordance with auditing standards Our work has not identified any issues which we wish to bring to your attention We also reviewed internal audit s work on your key financial systems to date We have not identified any significant weaknesses impacting on our responsibilities Walkthrough testing We have completed walkthrough tests of controls operating in
20. roviding outdoor education and sports centre services Limited company providing care and support services to older people and adults with a disability Limited company providing legal services to not for profit and other public sector entities Charity delivering services to schools and early years settings Charity overseeing the running of Buckinghamshire County Museum 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April 2015 Your preliminary group assessment Not under the control of the Council Under the control of the Council entity not sufficiently material to require consolidation Under the control of the Council entity not sufficiently material to require consolidation Not under the control of the Council Not under the control of the Council Planned audit approach Review governance arrangements for the charity at year end to check whether it falls under the Council s control Review final reported position for 2014 15 to confirm whether the company is material to the Council s accounts Review final reported position for 2014 15 to confirm whether the company is material to the Council s accounts Review governance arrangements for the charity at year end to check whether it falls under the Council s control Review governance arrangements for the charity at year end to check whether it falls under the Council s control Value for money Value for money
21. while The Audit Findings will be issued prior to approval of the financial statements and will present key issues and other matters arising from the audit together with an explanation as to how these have been resolved We will communicate any adverse or unexpected findings affecting the audit on a timely basis either informally or via a report to the Council Respective responsibilities This plan has been prepared in the context of the Statement of Responsibilities of Auditors and Audited Bodies issued by the Audit Commission www audit commission gov uk We have been appointed as the Council s independent external auditors by the Audit Commission the body responsible for appointing external auditors to local public bodies in England As external auditors we have a broad remit covering finance and governance matters Our annual work programme is set in accordance with the Code of Audit Practice the Code issued by the Audit Commission and includes nationally prescribed and locally determined work Our work considers the Council s key risks when reaching our conclusions under the Code It is the responsibility of the Council to ensure that proper arrangements are in place for the conduct of its business and that public money is safeguarded and properly accounted for We have considered how the Council is fulfilling these responsibilities 2015 Grant Thornton UK LLP Buckinghamshire County Council 2014 15 Audit Plan April
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