So, how is the opinion on schools’ financial management reached?

Following the audit visit, back at the office, the auditor assesses the school’s systems of financial management against a significant number of objectives that we would expect to be achieved and completes a ‘financial M.O.T.’ checklist. Scores are allotted based on what is found at the time of the audit visit and hence we cannot give credit for subsequent action. However reference to any subsequent actions will usually be made in the report recommendations.

We have invested significant effort in ensuring that our ‘financial M.O.T.’ checklist covers the right areas and allows for a fair and consistent conclusion to be reached. We regularly revise the checklist and consult with Children's Services officers and practitioners to ensure the scoring system is appropriate. The checklist has been vetted and approved by the Authority’s external auditors.

The final ‘M.O.T.’ score generates an overall opinion of which there are six:-
Far exceeds the standard that we measure against,
Is well above the standard that we measure against,
Is above the standard that we measure against,
Reaches the standard that we measure against,
Generally reaches the standard that we measure against.   However, improvements are needed in some areas,
Is below the standard that we measure against.

Borderline cases are always rechecked to ensure that an error has not occurred. The overall opinion on the school’s financial management is then shown in the typed report.

It is worth emphasising that the opinion is a judgement of a school’s financial performance only.  It has no relation to standards in other areas within the school e.g. accommodation, teaching, discipline, truancy etc.