Part 3Appointment etc of local auditors
I2I17Appointment of local auditor
C11
A relevant authority must appoint a local auditor to audit its accounts for a financial year not later than 31 December in the preceding financial year.
2
A relevant authority may appoint a local auditor to audit its accounts for more than one financial year; and in such a case—
a
subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the second or any subsequent year for which the appointment is made, but
b
the authority must make a further appointment of a local auditor at least once every 5 years.
3
Subsection (2)(b) does not prevent the relevant authority from re-appointing a local auditor.
4
The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (2)(b) so as to alter the period for the time being specified in it.
5
A local auditor appointed under this section—
a
must be eligible for appointment as a local auditor (see Part 4), and
b
must not be prohibited from acting as a local auditor of the accounts of the relevant authority by virtue of section 1214 of the Companies Act 2006 (independence requirement) as it has effect by virtue of Schedule 5.
6
Two or more local auditors may be appointed to audit the accounts of a relevant authority, and those auditors may be appointed—
a
to act jointly in relation to some or all parts of the accounts;
b
to act separately in relation to different parts of the accounts;
c
to carry out different functions in relation to the audit.
7
If, as a result of an appointment under subsection (6)(b) or (c), a function under this Act may be exercised by two or more local auditors—
a
it may be exercised by both or all of them acting jointly or by such one or more of them as they may determine, and
b
references (however expressed) to the local auditor by whom the function is or has been exercised are to the auditors by whom it is or has been exercised.
8
Schedule 3 makes further provision about the appointment of local auditors; and this section is subject to that Schedule and provision made under it.