Audit Scotland

Malcolm Bell, member of the Accounts Commission, discusses the challenges facing local councils in Scotland, including financial pressures, increasing demand, and the need for transformation in service delivery, and how they can be addressed through effective leadership, collaboration, and community

As Scotland's councils are increasingly faced with tough budget decisions, the role of the chief financial officer (CFO) is critical in ensuring financial sustainability and stability in local government, writes Jo Armstrong – chair of Audit Scotland's Accounts Commission. Our Spring budget br

Jo Armstrong has been appointed as the new chair of the Accounts Commission. Ronnie Hinds, who has been acting as interim chair of the Accounts Commission since May 2023, is stepping down at the end of January.

The Scottish water regulator's chief, Alan Sutherland, has resigned following a scathing report by Audit Scotland, which highlighted "unacceptable" financial practices at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS). The report revealed unauthorised spending, including £77,350 for a Harva

Scottish Canals, the public body overseeing Scotland's historic waterways and attractions, has come under fire from auditors for failing to accurately value its extensive asset portfolio.

Concerns have been raised by Audit Scotland over the final costs and completion dates of two delayed lifeline ferries, Glen Sannox (801) and vessel 802 as well as over the payment of performance bonuses to senior managers at Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow. In total, the two vessels are currently estim

Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission have published their latest report on the public sector gender pay gap setting out to highlight good practice and areas where further action is needed.

Faster reform of Scotland’s public sector is needed to protect services in the long term and improve people’s lives, according to Audit Scotland. The public body has said that the Scottish Government is facing increased costs, including a higher public sector wage bill, while the cost-of

Gemma Diamond, audit director at Audit Scotland, discusses how data is often seen as a burden for public bodies, rather than the key to better policy decisions, and the action needed to build data as a national asset. Scotland is facing enormous challenges. Inequality is on the rise, an ageing popul

The Scottish Government has asked Scotland's Auditor General to launch an investigation into the awarding of the £97m Scottish ferries contract. The request comes after suggestions from a documentary arose that the process of awarding the contract have been rigged as successful bidder Fer

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) has published its latest report which has identified £14.9 million of public sector fraud in 2020/21.

The Scottish Government worked collaboratively with local authorities and other key partners to direct significant public spending in unprecedented circumstances, according to a new Audit Scotland report.

Vicki Bibby has been appointed as the new chief operating officer of Audit Scotland. Ms Bibby is an experienced leader in Scotland’s public sector and joins Audit Scotland from her current role as director of strategic planning and performance at Public Health Scotland, a post she has held thr

A report published by Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission has highlighted the scale and pace of the emergency business support from the Scottish Government in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The report highlights how the Scottish Government was able to maintain clear priorities of targe

Senior public sector finance leader Elaine Boyd and fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the new chair of ACCA Scotland’s committee. Glasgow-based Elaine Boyd is the associate director at Audit Scotland where she heads the organisation’s quality assuranc