The government should continue to improve the timeliness and quality of its accounts, according to its financial watchdog.

The call came from the National Audit Office as it published its report on the audit work of central government departments over the last year.

A number of departments are too reliant on a small number of staff with limited technical support, the report finds.

The 2000/01 financial year saw the production of the final set of cash based government accounts - which were first introduced by Gladstone 135 years ago as a way of reporting governmental expenditure to parliament.

Instead, the government is now switching to a resource accounting system, similar to that used by the private sector.

Sir John Bourn, comptroller and auditor general, said "good progress" had been made on delivering the new style accounts.

But he warned there was still a need to ensure that control systems are embedded into management and operations.