Academies

Academy schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) operate in a complex and highly regulated financial environment. As independent charitable companies funded directly by the Department for Education (DfE), they must not only deliver excellent educational outcomes but also meet stringent reporting, governance and compliance obligations, including adherence to the Academies Accounts Direction and the Academy Trust Handbook.

We understand the unique position you are in: managing public funds responsibly, ensuring effective governance, and maintaining confidence among trustees, governors and regulators.

Our specialist team brings technical expertise and a practical approach to help academy leaders focus on what matters most - delivering outstanding education.

What makes the Academy sector distinct

Academies are state-funded schools that operate independently of local authority control, typically incorporated as charitable companies limited by guarantee.

This structure creates a dual set of obligations:

• Charity and company law compliance alongside public-sector funding requirements.
• Complex financial reporting and audit requirements under the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
• Robust governance duties for trustees and accounting officers.

Prospective and existing academy trusts face challenges across conversion, financial management, and ongoing reporting, making specialist financial support invaluable.

Our Services

Audit & Annual Accounts

• Risk-based, ESFA-aligned statutory audits with minimal disruption.
• Preparation of compliant, statutory-format annual accounts.
• Electronic audit files and proforma templates to streamline reporting.
• Practical recommendations via detailed management letters.

Internal Audit & Risk Assurance

• Tailored internal audits focused on key risk areas and control effectiveness.
• Independent reviews to support compliance, governance and operational efficiency.
• Risk workshops, board training, and audit committee advisory.
  

Governance & Board Advisory

• Bespoke governor training (e.g. Academy Trust Handbook, funding mechanisms).
• Reviews of governance structure, reporting, culture and accountability.
• Strategic advisory on roles, policies and statutory responsibilities.

Conversion & Strategic Advisory

• Guidance through all stages of academy conversion, from initial evaluation to post-conversion reporting.
• Support with due diligence, business planning and financial modelling.
• Advice on the implications of structure choices, single academy vs multi-academy trust (MAT) models.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Budget planning, forecasting and management accounts to support strategic decision-making.
• ESFA returns, cash flow analysis and financial monitoring dashboards.
• Tailored reporting for governors and trustees to build confidence and transparency.

Pensions & Payroll

• Audit support for Teachers’ Pension Scheme returns.
• Pension compliance reviews and staff benefit structuring.
• Payroll bureau services integrated with internal controls and HMRC compliance.

VAT & Indirect Tax

• Advice on VAT126 reclaims and partial exemption methodologies.
• VAT reviews on trading subsidiaries, lettings and capital projects.