Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24

The Accountable Officer’s responsibilities

Under section 19(4) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000, the Scottish Ministers have directed AiB to prepare, for each financial year, a statement of accounts in the form of, and on the basis set out in, the Accounts Direction at Appendix A. The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of AiB and of its income and expenditure, Statement of Financial Position and cash flows for the financial year.

In preparing the accounts, the Accountable Officer is required to comply with the requirements of the Government Financial Reporting Manual and in particular to:

• observe the Accounts Direction issued by the Scottish Ministers, including the relevant accounting and disclosure requirements, and apply suitable accounting policies on a consistent basis
• make judgements and estimates on a reasonable basis
• state whether applicable accounting standards as set out in the Government Financial Reporting Manual have been followed and disclose and explain any material departures in the financial statements
• prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis

The Principal Accountable Officer of the Scottish Government has designated the Chief Executive as Accountable Officer of AiB. The responsibilities of the Accountable Officer are set out in the Memorandum to Accountable Officers issued by Scottish Ministers and include responsibility for the propriety and regularity of the public finances for which the Accountable Officer is answerable, for keeping proper records and for safeguarding AiB’s assets.

As Accountable Officer, I confirm that, as far as I am aware, there is no relevant audit information of which AiB’s auditors are unaware, and I have taken all steps I ought to have taken to make myself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish AiB’s auditors are aware of this information.

I also confirm this annual report and accounts as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and that I take personal responsibility for this annual report and accounts and the judgements required for determining it are fair, balanced and understandable.