Page 18 - 2019-20 Annual Report and Financial Statements

DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER ACADEMY TRUST GOVERNANCE STATEMENT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020
The internal auditor's role includes giving advice on financial matters and performing a range of checks on the Trust's financial systems. In particular the checks carried out in the current period included:
• testing of purchases systems;
• testing of payroll systems;
• review of month end procedures;
• monitoring and maintenance of fixed asset registers;
• review of data and IT systems;
• and review of safeguarding and GDPR policies.
The internal auditor reports to the board of trustees through the audit and resources committee at least three times a year on the operation of the systems of control and on the discharge of the financial responsibilities of the board of trustees.
Review of effectiveness
As accounting officer the chief executive officer has responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal control. During the year in question the review has been informed by:
• the work of the internal auditor;
• the work of the external auditor;
• the financial management and governance self-assessment process;
• the work of the executive managers within the academy trust who have responsibility for the development
and maintenance of the internal control framework.
The accounting officer has been advised of the implications of the result of their review of the system of internal control by the audit and resources committee to ensure continuous improvement of the system is in place.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on and signed on its behalf by:
TheVenerableLTIrvine-Capel MrMTalbot
Chair of Trustees Accounting Officer
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