Chapter Five: Annual Accounts
Statement of Agency's and Chief Executive's Responsibilities
Under section 19(4) of the Public Finance & Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000, the Scottish Ministers have directed the Scottish Court Service to prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year in the form and on the basis set out in the direction on page 58. The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and must give a true and fair view of the Agency's state of affairs at the year-end and of its income and expenditure, recognised gains and losses and cash flows for the financial year.
In preparing accounts the Agency is required to:
- observe the accounts direction, including the relevant accounting and disclosure requirements, and apply suitable accounting policies on a consistent basis;
- make judgments and estimates on a reasonable basis;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, and disclose and explain any material departures in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Agency will continue in operation.
The Principal Accountable Officer of the Scottish Administration has designated the Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service as the Accountable Officer for the Agency. His relevant responsibilities as Accountable Officer, including responsibility for the propriety and regularity of the public finances and for the keeping of proper records, are set out in the Accountable Officer's Memorandum issued by the Principal Accountable Officer of the Scottish Administration.
John Ewing
Chief Executive
28 August 2003
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