The Provision of Quality Assurance Monitoring for DWP Housing Benefit Assurance Process - Awarded Contract Notice

DWP was seeking a supplier able to access and review accountancy firms carrying out Housing Benefit Assurance Process (HBAP) engagements to provide independent challenge and bring cross sector experience of best practice to bear in support of the DWP Housing Benefit Assurance Team. The quality assurance engagement is expected to fall into two broad areas of work: - the development, issue and review of a questionnaire to test accountancy firms are using correct versions of HBAP modules, and adequate internal controls are in place within each firm to ensure the correct and consistent application of HBAP. This may involve a review of supporting evidence such as internal documentation and guidance for Reporting Accountants and management checks. The supplier may undertake visits to individual accountancy firms in order to carry out the reviews. - to sample a selection of HBAP reports and supporting working papers from the accountancy firms to ensure HBAP modules are being fully and correctly completed, and findings from the HBAP testing are being fully and accurately reflected in HBAP reports as per the DWP’s testing instructions contained within HBAP Modules. This may require site visits to accountancy firms, but should not entail visits to individual Local Authorities (LAs). The intention is to run an annual exercise to review HBAP. The HBAP process concludes each year on 30th November which is the statutory deadline for completed HBAP reports and amended subsidy claims to be submitted to DWP by accountancy firms and LAs. The contract length covers a period of 1 year and 1 month – and includes audit reporting for 3 accounting periods.