Commentary Part 2: Local Authorities — Governance and Audit Introduction Section 43 - Right of entity to appoint auditor to conduct statutory audit; and Section 44 - Functions of auditor not appointed to conduct statutory audit
115.Section 43 provides that where an audit authority appoints an auditor to an entity, the entity may also appoint that same auditor as its statutory auditor under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (including that Part as applied to LLPs) or section 4 of the Friendly and Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1968. This appointment, if made, will be on the standard terms and conditions (including fees) as published by the audit authority. However, some entities may require certain modifications to be made to the standard terms and conditions and these modifications may be agreed between the entity and the auditor. The intention is that where the entity wishes to appoint the audit authority’s appointed auditor as its statutory auditor, that it is able to but not obliged to do so. This may be done for no additional fee beyond that agreed for the audit under this Chapter unless agreed with the auditor as part of the modification of the terms and conditions on appointment.
116.Before publishing any terms and conditions, the audit authority must consult the Secretary of State (in the case of the Commission) and Welsh Ministers (in case of the AGW) and such associations of local authorities and bodies of accountants as they consider appropriate. If the audit authority terminates the appointment of an auditor made under this Chapter, it does not terminate the appointment by the entity of their statutory auditor.
117.Section 44 applies when the entity does not wish to exercise the power in section 39(1) and instead chooses to appoint a different auditor as its statutory auditor, or where the entity exercises the power in section 39(1) but then terminates the appointment. In such a circumstance, the audit authority’s appointed auditor has the same powers as in the Companies Act 2006 (including as applied to LLPs) or the Friendly and Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1968 to enable the auditor to make a report to the company, partnership or society on the annual accounts. The auditor must also send a copy of the report to the local authority with which the entity is connected and the relevant appointing audit authority.