And, in a more purely financial world the NAO may understand better, when Anne Bulford, boss of C4 finances, left for the BBC and an extended version of the same role, her salary dropped by £94,000 (from £489,000 to £395,000).
The thick document, called a budget modification, was publicly released at 6 15 last night after City Council members, including members of the finance staff, had left for the day.
On Thursday, Osborne said the state of the public finances left no room for tax cuts, although the City believes a fresh surge in the housing market expected next year will leave scope for pre-election giveaways.
Many issues remain open and were left for finance ministers to settle in the coming months, not least how to deal with "legacy assets".
The details of bank supervision have been left for finance ministers to work out, with plenty of potential for arguments with non-euro members of the EU concerned about the terms of the ECB's supervisory powers.
In the circumstances will the banks have any margin left for financing commercial and industrial enterprises or will they not?
"In this case, there are very few options left for Haier to finance its bid.
In a recession it will be harder still.Brazil's parlous finances leave no room for debt-financed stimulus.
But the Dutch finance minister said there were just days left for talks.
Between money from breeding her four Rottweilers, food stamp assistance and the occasional help from her ex-husband or the local food bank, her finances leave little room for error.
