By Jamie Hailstone RSM Robson Rhodes has become the largest private audit supplier to the Audit Commission, after being awarded a total of £11m worth of contracts. The deals are for the audit of councils and healthcare organisations across the country, and come into effect from April 2007. The company already undertakes £6m audit work for the commission, and also has contracts with the National Audit Office, Audit Scotland and the Northern Ireland Audit Office. ‘As a firm, we have always sought to provide a high-quality service in a constructive way, and at a fair price,’ said RSM Robson Rhodes’ lead partner for government sector assurance services, Richard Tremeer. ‘The Audit Commission is core to our successful and expanding government sector work in both assurance and advisory services. ‘Over the last few years, we have significantly increased the breadth and depth of our government and related sector work, and we are excited that we shall be able to provide our blend of quality advice and constructive relationships to an increased range of clients over the next five years.’ The RSM Robson Rhodes contract is one of four new deals signed with private firms. The commission has also signed contracts with Deloitte, KPMG and PKF for audit work over the next five years. The four contracts are worth a total of £29m, and represent 20% of the projected audit work for 2007/8. ‘This has been a major exercise for the Audit Commission, conducted in accordance with EU procurement rules,’ said commission chief executive, Steve Bundred. ‘Our aim was to maintain quality, while using price competition to drive cost down.’ The commission has also agreed to outsource a further £13m of its projected audit work in 2008/9. j.hailstone@hgluk.com
