CIPFA LASAAC Local Authority Code Board

This board is responsible for preparing, maintaining, developing and issuing the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting for the United Kingdom (the Code).

From 2010/11 onwards, the code has been based on International Financial Reporting Standards. The board is a partnership between CIPFA (England, Northern Ireland and Wales) and the Local Authority (Scotland) Accounts Advisory Committee (LASAAC). Contact cipfalasaac@cipfa.org with any queries.

Find out more by reading the terms of reference (PDF, 149KB) and the relevant authority memorandum of understanding (terms of reference) (PDF, 224KB).

Latest updates

Your code board needs you! Help develop local authority accounting

Would you like the opportunity to help shape the future of local authority financial reporting? CIPFA LASAAC the Board responsible for developing the Code is looking for an English local authority practitioner with a good understanding of technical accounting issues under IFRS, as adapted for the local authority context. CIPFA/LASAAC would ideally like that practitioner to be from a metropolitan borough.

As anyone with more than a passing interest in the topic will know, this work is of significant importance and high profile, having regard to the various pressures on local authorities including delays in the publication of audited financial statements, concerns over accounting for infrastructure assets, and additional work which will need to be carried out to implement the IFRS 16 leasing standard.

The terms of reference for the board are available here. Prior to the pandemic crisis CIPFA/LASAAC had face to face meetings three times a year, alternating between London and Edinburgh. Meetings are now digital by default, although the Board may move to conducting some meetings on a hybrid basis.

In addition to attending meetings, CIPFA/LASAAC members need to review papers circulated between meetings including sections of the draft code. Members may also be asked to support events designed to promote the work of CIPFA/LASAAC in their area.

If you are interested in this opportunity to shape the development of the Code, please email the CIPFA/LASAAC Secretary steven.cain@cipfa.org by 13 January 2023

Updated statement on the outcomes of its consultation on infrastructure asset reporting issues, 27 July 2022

CIPFA LASAAC has issued an update statement on the outcomes of its consultation on infrastructure asset reporting.

Updated statement of the deferral of IFRS 16 Leases, 8 April 2022

CIPFA LASAAC has issued an updated statement on the deferral of IFRS 16 Leases for local authorities.

Preliminary decision and feedback statement, 17 March 2022

CIPFA LASAAC has today issued its preliminary decision and feedback statement following its exceptional consultation on time limited changes to the 2021/22 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom and the 2022/23 code.

Learning from good practice in central government, 25 March 2021

HM Treasury reviews annual reports in central government and identifies best practice examples in relation to narrative and performance reporting, accountability and financial statements. While not written with local government in mind, CIPFA/LASAAC considers that these may also be helpful to preparers of local government annual reports.