1. Does the authority share accounts payable or procurement functions with another authority or shared service function?
No.
1a. If yes, who?
Not applicable.
2. Which Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is used by the authority (e.g. Oracle, SAP, Advanced, Civica)?
FINEST. This will be replaced by Unit4 in April 2025.
3. Please state the total number and value of supplier transactions (invoices and credit notes) processed by Accounts Payable in the last financial year.
Invoices: Total number – 54,638 / Total value – £347,001,336.12
Credit notes: Total number – 702 / Total value – £5,223,407.15
4. Does the authority utilise any third-party software to identify or protect against supplier payment errors (including duplicate, erroneous payments or potential fraud) before payment is made?
No.
4a. If yes, please state the name of the software, the engagement date, the current contract end date and the annual value of the contract awarded to the external organisation (or total value and contract length).
Not applicable.
5. Does the authority utilise any third party or third-party software to identify historical payment errors (including duplicate, erroneous payments or potential fraud)?
No.
5a. If yes, please state the name of the software or partner, the engagement date and the current contract end date and frequency of engagement (if not continuous). Please also provide the contract value or terms of engagement (if not a fixed fee).
Not applicable.
5b. Please provide the value of monies recovered by the software or partner for the most recent financial year.
Not applicable.
6. Does the authority utilise any third-party or third-party software to reconcile supplier statements and identify overpayments or unclaimed credits on a regular basis?
No.
6a. If yes, please provide the name of the provider/software and a brief description of frequency/level of support.
Not applicable.
6b. Please provide the current contract end date and the annual value of the contract awarded to the external organisation (or total value and contract length).
Not applicable.
7. Does the authority make any checks (either directly or via any third party or third-party software) to identify sanctioned suppliers, both directly and indirectly owned, within the supplier master file?
No.
7a. If yes, please provide the name of the provider/software and confirm the frequency of checking.
Not applicable.