Thesis Title:
Culture, Leadership, and Financial Governance in AusterityConstrained Local Authorities
Thesis Abstract:
Erosion of public trust in UK local government, fueled by a deepening crisis in financial reporting and audit, threatens essential public services and democratic accountability (Ferry et al., 2015; Bradley et al., 2023). This concerning situation is characterized by escalating audit delays, persistent concerns about audit quality, and instances of severe financial distress amongst authorities (Bradley et al., 2023). Austerity-driven funding cuts since 2010 and the controversial 2015 abolition of the Audit Commission have significantly contributed to these challenges (Redmond, 2020).
Crucially, organizational culture and leadership styles within local authorities play a pivotal, yet often overlooked, role in shaping responses to these pressures, influencing ethical conduct, risk appetite, and, ultimately, the integrity of financial reporting. To address this critical issue and identify potential solutions, this study asks:
“How do specific cultural traits and leadership styles within English local authorities influence the quality of financial reporting and decisions related to financial risk, particularly in the context of austerity and the post-Audit Commission era?”
Primary Supervisor:
Prof Crawford Spence