Accounts
12.—(1) The Regulation and Improvement Authority shall—
(a)keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts; and
(b)prepare a statement of accounts in respect of each financial year.
(2) The statement of accounts shall—
(a)be in such form; and
(b)contain such information,
as the Department may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, direct.
(3) The Regulation and Improvement Authority shall, within such period after the end of each financial year as the Department may direct, send copies of the statement of accounts relating to that year to—
(a)the Department; and
(b)the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland.
(4) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall—
(a)examine, certify and report on every statement of accounts sent to him by the Regulation and Improvement Authority under this paragraph; and
(b)send a copy of his report to the Department.
(5) The Department shall lay a copy of the statement of accounts and of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report before the Assembly.
(6) In this paragraph “financial year” means—
(a)the period beginning with the date on which the Regulation and Improvement Authority is established and ending with the next 31st March following that date; and
(b)each successive period of twelve months ending with 31st March.