CERTIFICATES OF ASSURANCE: ANNEX 1
[To be completed together with the Internal Control Checklist at Annex 2 by Deputy Directors or equivalents.]
Director
Copy to: Finance Team
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 20XX-XX: ASSURANCE FOR THE STATEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL
1. I am aware that, as Director / Head of [Name of Directorate / Unit], you are required to provide an assurance to the Portfolio / Agency Accountable Officer on the standard of internal control within your area of responsibility [to enable him / her to sign a Statement on Internal Control (SIC) in relation to the annual accounts for 20XX-XX for which he / she is directly responsible.] or [to enable him / her to provide an assurance to the Principal Accountable Officer in relation to the Statement on Internal Control (SIC) provided alongside the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts for 20XX-XX.]
2. To assist you in that process, I can confirm that I have undertaken a review, evidenced by the attached Internal Control Checklist, of the internal control arrangements in my area of responsibility. [As appropriate: I have also made enquiries as to whether there are any internal control issues likely to merit inclusion in the SICs of those self-accounting bodies sponsored by my Division / Unit.] Having done that [I can confirm controls in my area have been, and are, working well. There are, in my opinion, no significant matters arising which would require to be raised specifically in the assurance you are required to give the Accountable Officer] or
[I would draw your attention to the following matters which you may wish to consider when preparing the assurance you are required to give to the Accountable Officer: details
3. Apart from the above, I can confirm that controls in my area have been, and are, working well. There are, in my opinion, no other significant matters arising which would require to be raised specifically in the assurance you are required to give the Accountable Officer.]
Name
Division / Unit
Date