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Public sector

Many ICAEW members work in or with the public sector to deliver public priorities and strong public finances. ICAEW acts in the public interest to support strong financial leadership and better financial management across the public sector – featuring transparency, accountability, governance and ethics – to ensure that public money is spent wisely and that public finances are sustainable.
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Local government finance

Skills for the future

  • Hub page
  • 25 Oct 2024
Improving financial skills is critical in balancing the books and delivering value for citizens. As backstop dates for audited accounts come into force, ICAEW explores how local authorities can strengthen their approach to financial management.
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Latest Insights

Chancellor tightens screws to slow public finance deterioration
  • Article
  • 28 Mar 2025
Rachel Reeves used her first Spring Statement to set out a series of strict objectives to bring the public finances back under control.
Chancellor walks tightrope over uncertain landscape
  • Article
  • 27 Mar 2025
Despite welcome improvements to the OBR forecast and positive noises on defence spending and capital investment in the Spring Statement, the economy remains on shaky ground.
Technical round-up: March 2025
  • Article
  • 27 Mar 2025
This month’s top stories feature 300,000 people who no longer need to submit a tax return, 10 tax changes taking effect from this April, and HMRC launching a new agent query resolution service.
Proposed public sector accounting standards ‘could encourage greenwashing’
  • Article
  • 25 Mar 2025
The narrow definition of climate-related public policy programmes in the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board’s latest exposure draft could increase the risk of greenwashing, warns CIPFA and ICAEW.
Infrastructure spend must be smart, as well as speedy
  • Article
  • 25 Mar 2025
ICAEW has revealed the results of a snap poll of members, confirming that the government must better focus its infrastructure investment or risk ‘displacing’ private sector funding.
Economic update: key trends ahead of the Spring Statement
  • Article
  • 24 Mar 2025
The UK economy endured a poor start to 2025 amid January’s financial market turbulence. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Public sector finances disappoint ahead of Spring Statement
  • Article
  • 24 Mar 2025
The shortfall between receipts and public spending reached £132bn in the 11 months to February – and is potentially on track to hit £150bn by the end of the financial year.
Chart of the week: Pre-Spring Forecast forecast
  • Article
  • 21 Mar 2025
Our chart looks ahead to next week’s Spring Statement by looking back at the fiscal forecast prepared by the OBR last October.
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Highlights

ICAEW vision for local audit
  • Hub page
  • 09 Mar 2023
ICAEW sets out its vision for local audit, making the case for better financial reporting, high quality and more timely audits, stronger financial management and governance, and a thriving profession that is highly valued.
Public sector financial and non-financial reporting
  • Hub page
  • 15 Nov 2022
We highlight the vital role public sector reporting plays in strengthening financial controls, improving evidence-based decision making and bringing transparency to the public about how taxpayers’ money is spent.
UK public sector audit
  • Hub page
  • 14 Jul 2022
Public sector bodies may produce financial statements under the same accounting standards as their private sector counterparts, but there are some key differences. In addition, each of the UK's four nations has its own approach to audit. This hub highlights the important variations all auditors need to be aware of.
Local public audit in England
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 06 Oct 2015
ICAEW is responsible for the licensing, registering and monitoring of auditors who wish to carry out audits of local public bodies. This page explains what accountancy firms and individuals need to do to become a registered local auditor under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
Demystifying the role of NEDs in the public sector
  • Article
  • 21 May 2024
Chartered accountants possess many of the skills required to be an effective NED in the public sector. We explain what the role entails, how interested members can find vacancies and why they are so desperately needed.
Parliamentary committee urges clarification on local audit overhaul
  • Article
  • 16 Jan 2025
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee welcomes steps to fix broken local audit system, but urges clarification on the remit of the proposed Local Audit Office.
Economy explainers
  • Hub page
  • 06 Jun 2024
ICAEW experts offer simple guides to help understand the technical, economic jargon that is discussed when talking about public finances and the economy.
TCFD framework update
  • Webinar
  • 10 May 2024
In July 2023, Max Greenwood, Senior Finance Advisor, HMT took part in a webinar on the introduction of the TCFD framework for central government. This short video expands on the implementation challenges of phase II and III of the framework.

Resources by Topic

Public Sector Audit and Assurance

Improving the quality of public audit. Becoming a registered local auditor. Assurance for grant-paying bodies

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Public Sector Finances

Insights and analysis on the UK public finances, including the #icaewchartoftheweek.

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Public Sector Financial Management

Our Better Government Series of policy insights looks at how to improve finance leadership and financial management in the public sector.

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Public Sector Financial Reporting

Developments in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) affecting the public sector.

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Europe and International

Exploring public sector finances and financial management across the globe.

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Books seen from above
Learning and Development

How we can help professionals, in the public sector and beyond, develop their skills and advance their careers.

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Further resources

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Public Sector webinars and recordings

Specialist resources and events for the public sector

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Diverse group of people
Public Sector Community

Free to join and open to non-ICAEW members

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Public Sector Community Newsletters

Latest news from the Public Sector Community

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