Early preparation for the year-end closure of accounts is vital to ensure that the tight timescale for completion can be achieved. In the work that we have done to date we have noted that the key problems with closing tended to be around technical accounting areas in the accounts and poor working papers with inadequate audit trails.

Public Sector Consultants has worked with over 100 public sector organisations advising and completing all or certain sections of their accounts. We are able to provide individual consultants or a complete team to support you in completing your statement of accounts both accurately and on time. Our consultants have a range of accountancy qualifications and experience; they can manage the entire accounts closure process or just assist with the elements of the process where your current resources are limited. This may include some of the complicated reconciliations which need to be completed prior to year end, the specialist skills involved with revenue, capital and housing accounting, the production of effective working papers or even a review and enhancement of those that you have prepared in house.

Services provided by Public Sector Consultants include:

• the production of a full timetable including contingency plans and a checklist for completion of all actions
• assisting with reviewing and reconciling the control accounts and balance sheet items
• consolidation of department/ directorate accounts
• producing a full trial balance in the appropriate format with supporting information
• liaison with auditors and the production of comprehensive and well referenced working papers
• completion of statutory forms and returns
• responding to audit queries
• staff training on all aspects of accounts closure.

The benefits of our services are:

• experienced consultants who have closed accounts regularly and are aware of the pitfalls, changes in legislation, auditor requirements, etc
• flexibility, freeing up the time of your permanent staff
• hands on training and support for your staff
• assurance that your accounts will be completed accurately within the statutory deadlines and compliant with statute and auditors requirements.