John Fagan

In the realm of financial management for parish and town councils, transparency is not just a buzzword; it’s a cornerstone of public trust and accountability. While the use of spreadsheets for managing finances is widespread due to their accessibility and familiarity, they pose hidden risks that can undermine this crucial transparency. Recent incidents across various councils in the UK have shone a light on the pitfalls of relying on traditional spreadsheets. From substantial financial losses due to errors and fraud to the challenges in meeting regulatory compliance, the shortcomings are becoming increasingly apparent. In this post, we delve into the intricate web of risks associated with spreadsheet management, specifically focusing on how they can obscure transparency in financial operations. We will explore real-life cases, common errors, and the implications of these on public trust. Moreover, we'll discuss how alternative, more robust solutions can enhance transparency, ensuring that parish and town councils not only manage their finances more effectively but also uphold the highest standards of accountability to their communities. Join us as we unravel the complexities of spreadsheet management and make a case for more transparent, reliable, and efficient financial management practices in our local councils. Did you know 88% of spreadsheets have errors? That is a scary number, but this was the result of study by MarketWatch. Human error is not the only danger lurking in your Parish and Town Council accounts. Spreadsheets are prone to Fraud, as its very easy for opportunistic and unscrupulous Clerks or RFOs to manipulate finances for personal gain. Spreadsheets are very portable, easy to copy and share via email when you are colloborating with colleages. This is a bad thing. We understand why local councils use spreadsheets. They are "cheap and easy", but the above dangers makes it very hard to adhere to regulatory compliance.