Schedule 1 – Incorporation of Wales Audit Office Paragraphs 34 and 35 – Audit etc of the WAO
82.The National Assembly is required to appoint an auditor of the WAO’s accounts, and to establish the terms of appointment for that auditor. The WAO may recommend a person for appointment and must pay the auditor the remuneration provided for in the appointment.
83.The auditor will examine and certify the statement of accounts (prepared by the AGW as accounting officer of the WAO), which are to be submitted to the auditor by the Chair of the WAO no later than 5 months after the end of the financial year. Once the statement of accounts has been audited and is certified, the auditor must lay the accounts (as certified) and his or her report on them before the Assembly.
84.Amongst other matters, paragraph 35 empowers the auditor to gather information (including documents) necessary for the purpose of auditing the accounts.
85.Paragraph 35 also enables the auditor to carry out economy, efficiency and effectiveness examinations in relation to the use of resources by the AGW and the WAO in the discharge of their functions; confers power on the auditor to gather information (including documents) for that purpose and provides that in connection with these examinations the auditor may lay a report on the findings before the Assembly.