Commentary Part 5 – Conduct of Local Audit Paragraph 10: Application to auditors of NHS foundation trusts
74.This paragraph covers the application of a code of audit practice to auditors of accounts of NHS foundation trusts. Although NHS foundation trusts are not relevant authorities, the duty to prepare a code of practice as regards audit of their accounts applies, as does the power to issue guidance to auditors of foundation trusts’ accounts. Schedule 12 amends the National Health Service Act 2006 so that auditors of foundation trusts’ accounts are required to comply with the relevant code and have regard to any such guidance (see new paragraph 24(4A) of Schedule 7 to that Act).
75.In preparing a code relating to the audit of accounts of foundation trusts, the Comptroller and Auditor General is required to consult Monitor and such associations or representatives of foundation trusts as the Comptroller and Auditor General thinks appropriate, as well as the other persons mentioned in paragraph 1(5).