As a result of the highly successful procurement of auditor services, opted-in local government and police bodies in England benefit collectively from reduced fees for audit services. PSAA was able to make a reduction of 23 percent in scale audit fees for 2018/19 compared to 2017/18, and sought to maintain fees at this level for as long as possible during the five-year appointing period. Aggregate savings are expected to exceed £6 million per annum.
The national scheme was set up to ensure the delivery of a cost-effective, quality audit service for authorities that opt in. The collaborative approach means that opted-in local bodies save the time and expenses associated with establishing and maintaining an independent auditor panel to oversee the procurement and ongoing management of local auditor arrangements.
The procurement of the audit services for the appointing period tested thoroughly audit quality as well as attracting highly competitive prices. The successful firms possess a wealth of public sector audit experience inspiring confidence that high standards of service will be maintained.
The results of the process, announced on 20 June 2017, awarded the following contracts:
- Lot 1 of approx. £14.6 million per audit year was awarded to Grant Thornton LLP;
- Lot 2 of approx. £10.9 million per audit year was awarded to EY LLP;
- Lot 3 of approx. £6.6 million per audit year to awarded to Mazars LLP;
- Lot 4 of approx. £2.2 million per audit year to awarded to BDO LLP;
- Lot 5 of approx. £2.2 million per audit year to awarded to Deloitte LLP; and
- Lot 6 with no guaranteed value of work to awarded to a consortium of Moore Stephens LLP and Scott-Moncrieff LLP.
Contracts were awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tender, with 50% of the available score awarded to price and 50% awarded to quality.