Public Accountability for Academy Trust Accounting Officers

Those who are designated as the Accounting (or Accountable) Officer for their organisation are answerable for the oversight of the stewardship of public funds, which will result in their being called upon to give an account to Parliament. It is therefore vital that those in these positions hold accountability at the heart of all their working practices. This programme deals with the role of the Accounting Officer set firmly in the Academy Trust context.

Public Accounting for Academy Trust Accounting Officers is our speciality in-house training course within our Accountability & Governance series. At the Civil Service College, we tailor our courses to each attendee’s role and organisation, ensuring that each delegate gets the most out of the training. Our courses and trainers are continuously updated and evaluated to ensure that we are always delivering the best service possible.

Key Training Features

Who Can Attend

Learning Outcomes

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Key Training Features:

• The role of the Treasury in setting the rules for the stewardship of public funds
• The expectations of Parliament and the role of the Public Accounts Committees
• Managing Public Money (Including reference to Chapter 3) and how this document applies to Academy Trusts
• The role of the Departmental and ESFA Accounting Officers and their relationship with an Academy Accounting Officer
• The oversight role of the ESFA
• Examples of cases where government departments have been held to account for failing to exercise effective oversight in relation to bodies operating "at an arm's length"
• The departmental Accounting Officer's Accountability System Statement
• Reference to documentation such as the Academies Financial Handbook and annual Dear Accounting Officer letter
• What is meant by regularity propriety and value for money with real-life case studies to demonstrate where public bodies have failed to ensure a culture of compliance. Some case studies deal specifically with topics such as avoidance of waste and extravagance, management of conflicts of interest and novel and contentious expenditure.
• The scrutiny role of the National Audit Office

Who Can Attend:

This course is suitable for the Accounting officers and those supporting them. 

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will also acquire a comprehensive insight into the personal responsibilities of an Accounting or Accountable Officer,

The programme runs for approximately 4 ½ hours (including breaks) and is a mix of formal presentations, discussions based on case studies, and video extracts from the Public Accounts Committee. We can run this course on your premises and at a time to suit those attending. This course is suitable for the Accounting officers and those supporting them. 

View course outline