13
Accepted
Earlier lease recognition point was not accounted for in main or supplementary estimates
Conclusion
The impact of this earlier than expected recognition point had not been taken into account in the Main or Supplementary Estimates. The Department for Business and Trade3
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the committee's finding and states that Ofqual's management has responded to auditor recommendations by ensuring it has the capacity, technical knowledge, and processes in place to appropriately consider complex accounting and budgetary reporting treatment for transactions, aiming to prevent future omissions from estimates.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
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.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry
Excess votes 2023-24
Report
11th Report - Excess votes 2023-24
26 Feb 2025
HC 719
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
1.4 yr
Report published
26 Feb 2025