This webinar is ideal for:

• Town & Parish Clerks and Responsible Financial Officers

The External Audit is more than just a box-ticking exercise; it is a vital pillar of local government accountability. It provides a necessary layer of scrutiny that protects both the council and the community.

However, it is not uncommon for an auditor to come back with more queries once your AGAR is submitted.

That's why we are delighted to welcome Eleanor Greene, Chief Accountant at Do the Numbers Limited and Secretary to the Internal Audit Forum, to share her insights on the External Audit.

Having audited accounts since 1997, Eleanor has seen the audit landscape evolve over nearly three decades. She brings a unique "dual perspective" - the rigor of an internal auditor and the practical empathy of a sector expert to help you navigate the query phase without the panic.

You will discover:

• Common Red Flags: Learn the most frequent triggers for external queries and how to address them in your initial submission.
• The Art of Explanation: How to move beyond raw numbers and provide "financial storytelling" for variances and trust that satisfies auditor curiosity before they feel the need to raise a formal query.
  
• Precision in Process: How to master the "non-negotiables", from calculating the exact 30-day public rights period to ensuring your AGAR approval sequence follows the strict order required.