The UK system of public expenditure control is centred on the Westminster Parliament, which alone has the power to vote taxes and to authorise the expenditure plans put forward by the Government of the day. Parliament oversees the administration of public finances closely, with the help of the National Audit Office. Within the executive, it is the Treasury which co-ordinates the expenditure plans which are put to Parliament and is responsible for control of expenditure. The Treasury must agree to all expenditure.
Departments are accountable for the use to which they put the resources they are allocated.
The most senior permanent official in a Department is designated an Accounting Officer and is accountable to a committee of Parliament which investigates the propriety, regularity and value for money of public expenditure. The Accounting Officer must establish a proper system of internal controls, including an internal audit function, to safeguard the public resources which have been made available to the Department. If you would like more information on the UK system of public expenditure control, click here . Auditors have a key role to play in accounting for public spending. The quality and effectiveness of internal audit, as well as ensuring compliance with GIAM standards is the responsibility of the individual government department.