How we work
The Audit Commission has unique powers and responsibilities set down by law but we believe that the best way to achieve our aims is to work closely with those that run services and other regulators. We aim to work openly, consulting and informing our stakeholders and the public and making sure those delivering public services do the same.
One of our key responsibilities is to appoint auditors to audit and inspect many of our public services. In doing this, we work with a wide range of public sector organisations including local authorities and health bodies across the country as well as many other public sector bodies, for example police and fire authorities.
We also regularly carry out national studies to find out where and how money is being spent, and operate a performance system that allows us to compare the results of the public bodies we work with.
Our work can be divided into five main areas, though these can overlap:
