Oldham is tops at doing the books

OLDHAM Council’s accounts preparation has been recognised as the best in the country by the Audit Commission .

The commission’s annual audit report examines the quality and timing of financial reporting by councils and local government bodies across the UK. Of the 356 councils surveyed, Oldham Council is named, alongside Kent County Council, as the fastest in the country with its accounts for 2010/11 having been fully audited and published by July 29.

The council says the result is the product of work by its finance team to rapidly accelerate the speed and quality of its preparation of financial reporting over the last two years.

The Audit Commission report states: “Publishing timely audited accounts is the principal means by which those responsible for the stewardship of public money discharge their accountability for their financial performance.”