§ 20 (1) A public benefit organisation is to keep accounts in such form as the Secretary of State may with the approval of the Treasury direct.
(2) The accounts are to be audited by the organisation's auditor.
(3) But the Comptroller and Auditor General may examine—
- (a) the accounts,
- (b) any records relating to them, and
- (c) any report of the auditor on them.
§ 21 (1) A public benefit organisation is to prepare in respect of each financial year annual accounts in such form as the Secretary of State may with the approval of the Treasury direct.
(2) In preparing its annual accounts, the organisation is to comply with any directions given by the Secretary of State with the approval of the Treasury as to—
- (a) the methods a nd principles according to which the accounts are to be prepared,
- (b) the information to be given in the accounts.
§ (3) In determining the form and content of the annual accounts the Secretary of State is to aim to ensure that the accounts present a true and fair view.
§ (4) The organisation must—
- (a) lay a copy of the annual accounts, and any report of the auditor on them, before Parliament, and
- (b) once it has done so, send copies of those documents to the Secretary of State.
§ (5) In this paragraph and paragraph 23 "financial year" means—
- (a) the period beginning with the date on which the organisation is authorised under section [authorisation of NHS community trusts] and ending with the next 31st March, and
- (b) each successive period of twelve months beginning with 1st April.