11 Not Addressed

Ofqual requested budget in one year for liabilities anticipated in the next

Conclusion
In January 2024, Ofqual requested additional budget of £417,000 in its Supplementary Estimate 2023–24, as it anticipated certain preparation costs for the office move. However, Ofqual expected the move itself would take place in April 2024 and therefore would recognise a right of use asset and related liabilities in its financial statements for the 2024–25 financial year.
Government Response Summary
The government response does not directly address the conclusion about Ofqual's budget request and accounting expectations. Instead, it details how Ofqual's management has responded to auditor recommendations by improving capacity, technical knowledge, and processes for complex accounting and budgetary reporting.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: March 2025 Ofqual’s Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee reviewed the context and detailed circumstances leading to the excess. Whilst the Committee was satisfied that this breach resulted from a technical point of interpretation rather than a failure of control or governance, it has nevertheless sought and received assurance that management has responded appropriately to the specific recommendation of the auditors in this respect, namely that management should ensure it has the capacity, technical knowledge and processes in place to appropriately consider the accounting and budgetary reporting treatment for transactions that may be complicated to account for. In addition to this specific recommendation, forecasts are scrutinized on a monthly basis, a dialogue is maintained with HM Treasury colleagues throughout the year and management is engaged with the external audit team well in advance of year-end to ensure that any such issues are surfaced and resolved in a timely manner.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.4 yr
Report published 26 Feb 2025