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The SNP has reportedly appointed Manchester-based firm, AMS Accountants Group as its new auditors, according to BBC News.
The appointment is seen as timely as the party aims to avoid losing out on £1.2m of public funding if it does not file its accounts on or before 31 May. AMS has agreed to complete the accounts for both the party and its Westminster group.
The appointment comes six months after its previous auditors Johnston Carmichael resigned from its role. It revealed last month that it had informed the party in September 2022 that it would not be able to conduct the audit due in 2023 following a review of its client portfolio, but that no concerns were stated about the audit of the 2021 accounts.
The Scottish party is currently facing an ongoing police investigation into the party’s finances with former SNP leader and first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell and its former treasurer Colin Beattie being arrested last month. Both were released without charge.
Humza Yousaf, the SNP’s leader and Scotland’s first minister, told the BBC: “There is hard work ahead but it is really encouraging to have them on board as we work towards a challenging deadline.”
