Commentary Part 16: Audit Chapter 3: Functions of Auditors Section 509: Guidance for regulatory authorities: Scotland
773.This section enables the Lord Advocate to issue guidance about handling matters in Scotland where the same auditor’s report could give rise both to disciplinary proceedings by a regulatory body, and to prosecution for the new offence. Subsection (2) requires the Lord Advocate to consult the Secretary of State before issuing guidance. Subsection (3) lists the regulatory bodies the guidance is intended to help. The list comprises the accountancy supervisory bodies, recipients of grants under section 16 of the C(AICE) Act 2004) (currently the Financial Reporting Council and its subsidiaries) and the Secretary of State.