Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars, the external auditor, is set to issue a qualified opinion for Harrow Council's 2025/26 financial accounts due to audit backlog and resource issues, with an unmodified opinion anticipated by 2027/28. In March 2026, Forvis Mazars also questioned Greenwich Council's financial sustainability in its 2024/25 Annual Audit Report, citing reliance on reserves and unmet savings targets. Earlier, in November 2025, Forvis Mazars' audit for Harrow Council's 2024/25 accounts identified significant weaknesses in areas including schools grant governance and children's social care.

Councils continue to review audit progress and strategy. Ealing Council's Audit Committee discussed the progress of external audits by Forvis Mazars in September 2026. Greenwich Council's Audit and Risk Management Panel considered the external audit strategy for the upcoming financial year and the draft 2025/26 statement of accounts in July 2026. Camden Council's Audit and Corporate Governance Committee reviewed its 2025/26 external audit strategy in July 2026, and Hackney Council's Pensions Committee noted its 2025/26 Pension Fund Audit Plan in June 2026.

Forvis Mazars is an international accounting and advisory firm that acts as the external auditor for various councils and pension funds, providing audit, tax, and advisory services. Their role involves scrutinising council finances and governance arrangements, as seen in their reports to Harrow and Greenwich Councils.