Audits

Mollz Mum · 05-12-2008, 01:19 PM

Just need to let off some steam.....it's been one of those days!
Not had much time lately to be on the forum, which I've really missed - I've been preparing for a 5 day audit at school. There is so much work that goes into it, it's probably taken me around 100 hours of work to get everything ready - and that's on top of running the school as normal.
Don't misunderstand, my processes at school are very tight and I expect to pass, but we now have a new process FMSiS (Financial Management Standards in Schools) that has to be met and it's a killer.
1st day today seemed to go well, but I am mentally exhausted....only 4 to go and I can hopefully get some of my life back and be able to give Mollz and our hammies the attention they deserve!! Don't know what I'd do without her, she is very patient and self sufficient - and has needed to be over the last 8 weeks or so. I'm very blessed.
Anyone else have to deal with audits or inspections?

souffle · 05-12-2008, 01:34 PM

Only 4 more days and you can relax. Just keep looking forward Mollz mum. We work for ourselves but this is accounts time for us so I am up to my eyeballs in invoices and trying to get everything in order (and found) for the accountants. Not sure why I do all the work then he gets paid a load for setting it all out in 2 pages and signing it

If Mollz is like Pophammy she is likely studying now. Pophammy is counting down to her birthday at the end of the exams. Looking forward to hearing more from you after Friday but you just relax and chill for now. I know the audits will be just perfect.

**Spuds Mum** · 05-12-2008, 02:48 PM

Oh I so know where you are coming from - I read a book once called The Audit Society discussing how we spend so much time and resource on checking mechanisms.

In my organisation, staff do the work, managers check a percentage and report this, a yearly validation takes place on my checks from one quarter, and then we have QST - quarterly checks of the checks and validation, validators etc.

Im sure the QST people are also checked.....

We have people who could be actually doing the work, whose full time job it is to check the people who are - and we are not talking one or two.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) ours isnt like a four day nightmare - its a daily recurring one!

My sympathies are with you Mollz Mum - cuddle Charlie for stress relief (and Mollz of course

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Mollz Mum · 05-14-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spud's Mum

In my organisation, staff do the work, managers check a percentage and report this, a yearly validation takes place on my checks from one quarter, and then we have QST - quarterly checks of the checks and validation, validators etc.

Im sure the QST people are also checked.....

Wow, and I thought I had problems. At least mine is only every 3 years.

Fortunately, I was so organised, they managed to finish two days early and I've passed with flying colours. Official notification not until next week, but I'm happy with a verbal pass.

I can now get back to normal school work and social time at home.

Just need to go an introduce myself to Mollz........and the hammies too of course

**Spuds Mum** · 05-14-2008, 01:19 PM

Yay well done you - bet you feel like you've passed an exam too!

Your hamster and your daughter will be waiting patiently with love and affection for some attention now (just a quick hint - your daughter is the long haired blonde one, without hairy feet.......well I am assuming thats the case

)

Mollz · 05-14-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spud's Mum

Your hamster and your daughter will be waiting patiently with love and affection for some attention now (just a quick hint - your daughter is the long haired blonde one, without hairy feet.......well I am assuming thats the case

)

And what if I did have hairy feet?

Gust0o · 05-14-2008, 01:29 PM

I had some real dullard auditors in the other week, who managed to get totally under my feet for three days... then confess, at the end, that they had no real idea what they had come to audit!

Needless to say, I was not massively impressed - though I would like to point out that this wasn't Aviva, and one of our third parties, commiting themselves to the blunder.

Whilst I do understand the need, and the methodology, it does leave you wondering, sometimes...

Mollz Mum · 05-14-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gust0o

Whilst I do understand the need, and the methodology, it does leave you wondering, sometimes...

Yes, it does make you wonder sometimes. Not sure how many know, but I'm a business manager for a large primary school and local authority financial regulations say that you have to get 3 quotes for all purchases over £1000. I make approx. 4 purchases per year with our basic stationery supplier for all the usual bits - pencils, paper, pens, exercise books etc. etc. - usually about 150 items amounting to £2500. I spent 1 1/2 hours today trying to explain why it wasn't possible to get 3 quotes for this order and how it would cost the school a fortune in my time doing so, just to possibly save 50p on a box of 100 pencils! Although we agreed to disagree, I'm sure that they still didn't grasp the reasoning behind this and I will see it as a recommendation in the written report. Sometimes beaurocracy takes over from Common Sense!

Spud's Mum - thanks for the hint, I've located Mollz and reminded her what "mummy" looks like - she wasn't too keen when I offered her a raisin as a treat though!! I serously need to get some sleep to get my head straight. LOL