Ray Dorney, the Director at Rockford Associates, examines whether accuracy is still the bedrock of democracy and good governance
In both budget forecasting and public accountability, accuracy isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a democratic necessity. The general public has a right to know how their money is spent, what policies are working, and the challenges their country faces. When governments commit to accuracy, they enable smarter decisions, build public trust, and strengthen the social contract.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynihan
In 2025, the stakes for financial precision in government have never been higher. The UK public sector continues to spend hundreds of billions of pounds annually, and around £290 billion on procurement alone, which makes even small discrepancies potentially costly.
Sound financial management isn’t just good practice; it’s essential for trust, efficiency, and sustainable public services. The benefits are clear:
Safeguarding of public funds
Accuracy in accounts payable and procurement processes is essential to prevent financial leakages, including overpayments, duplicate payments, and fraudulent disbursements. This ensures that taxpayer resources are utilised responsibly and solely for their intended purposes.
Ensuring compliance and transparency
Governments are subject to stringent financial management regulations and external audits. Maintaining accurate records upholds compliance standards and reinforces public trust by ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Enabling effective budgeting and forecasting
Accurate accounts payable and procurement data provide a reliable basis for expenditure tracking and future resource planning. This enhances the government’s ability to allocate funds effectively and to make informed fiscal policy decisions.
Strengthening supplier and stakeholder confidence
Timely and precise financial transactions foster strong relationships with suppliers and contractors, ensuring continuity in the delivery of goods and services. Such credibility may also lead to more favourable contractual terms and improved market confidence in government procurement practices.
Minimising operational risks and inefficiencies
Errors in invoices, contracts, or purchase orders create administrative burdens, delays, and potential disputes. Accuracy reduces these risks, lowers operational costs, and supports more efficient delivery of public services.
An independent accounts payable audit is a vital mechanism for upholding fiscal discipline within government.
It provides an impartial assessment of financial transactions, ensuring that expenditures are authorised, properly recorded, and fully compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and procurement frameworks.
By identifying errors, inefficiencies, or irregularities, such audits safeguard public resources from misuse while strengthening internal controls and governance structures. Moreover, they enhance transparency and accountability, reinforcing public confidence in the integrity of government financial management.
Why Rockford Associates via a CCS Framework is the best strategic choice
When it comes to achieving financial accuracy in government accounts, few options are as promising as leveraging a specialist firm like Rockford Associates, via the Crown Commercial Service framework agreement. Here’s why:
1. Trusted access via a CCS Framework
Rockford is listed under Lot 15: Spend Analytics and Recovery Services (Accounts Payable Review) of CCS’s Debt Resolution Services framework (RM6226), allowing public bodies to engage them directly via Direct Award, with little internal red tape the CCS itself is a mature, high-performing organisation rated “Best” in the latest Commercial Continuous Improvement Assessment Framework (CCIAF), scoring over 90% for commercial maturity, governance, and effectiveness.
2. Proven track record of recovery and value
Since 2001, Rockford Associates has completed over 750 audits, recovering over £100 million on behalf of public and private sector clients. Their work via CCS has enabled the swift recovery of historical overpayments or billing errors, with documented case studies, such as Barts Health NHS Trust, seeing effective recovery with minimal disruption.
3. Risk-free, independent, and efficient
Rockford works on a no-recovery, no-fee basis, meaning clients only pay if savings are realised, virtually eliminating financial risk. Audits are completed remotely, reducing disruption to in-house teams and cutting the carbon footprint, an increasingly important consideration in public sector operations. Additionally, being independent and impartial increases the credibility of the audit and can surface inefficiencies that internal teams may miss.
4. Embedded social value
Rockford integrates social value into its services: a portion of all audit fees is donated to charities and community organisations chosen by their clients across the UK. This aligns with modern public sector priorities around socially responsible procurement and supporting local causes.
Summary: key benefits at a glance
- Ease of access.
- Direct award via CCS framework RM6226, ensures compliance.
- Proven outcomes.
- Over £100 million recovered in 750 audits since 2001.
- Zero financial risk.
- No-recovery, no-fee model ensures cost-neutral engagement.
- Low disruption.
- Remote audits preserve staff time and reduce environmental impact.
- Credibility & insight.
- Independent audits offer fresh perspectives and validate internal controls.
- Social value.
- Donations to charities underscore a commitment to broader societal benefits.
Looking ahead: Stronger financial governance in 2025
In the context of today’s public sector, which is under severe pressure to be more transparent, efficient, compliant, and socially responsible, ensuring financial accuracy through trusted audits is not optional. It’s an imperative.
Engaging Rockford Associates through the CCS framework RM6226 offers a compelling, low-risk pathway to:
- Recover incorrect payments and overcharges.
- Bolster audit credibility.
- Support compliant, value-for-money government spending.
- Demonstrate social responsibility through charitable impact.
This robust combination of outcomes aligns with the government’s goals to enhance financial accountability and public trust – making such audits an essential lever for sound fiscal governance in 2025.
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.
