Services for Academies

It is important academies consult early in the conversion process and choose advisers who have the experience and expertise to help them meet challenges and add value for them going forward. New decisions will include adapting to a new accounting and financial reporting regime and dealing with the requirements of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and other regulatory responsibilities. As specialist academy accountants we are able to offer a full service.

Support pre; during and post conversion to ensure the process occurs as smoothly as possible with our vast experience guiding you all the way.

Accounting Software

We have experience of all the main software packages used in the academy sector and can provide support from assisting with selecting the package; structuring the nominal ledger through to production and content of management information.

Audit and Accounts

Statutory requirement undertaken in an efficient and timely manner maximising benefits to your academy from our detailed knowledge and understanding of the sector.

Internal assurance and scrutiny

Independent checking of financial controls; systems; transactions and risks can be undertaken by us to fulfil this requirement. A programme of work can be agreed and reported on to support the accounting officer’s annual statement on regularity, propriety and compliance.

VAT recovery and compliance

Our in-house VAT team can assist with all aspects of VAT including partial exemption; property transactions and ancillary ‘trading'.

Governance

Training and guidance for governors; business managers and other members of your finance team can be arranged to suit your needs.

Pensions

Audit of The End of Year Certificate for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Employment and Corporation tax

With specialist employment tax and corporate tax departments we can advise on any HMRC matters that may arise for an academy.

We will support you during the year, rather than just restricting our involvement to the year-end audit. We believe in open relationships and so will be in contact with you on a regular basis to keep in touch with your progress and developments, and to advise you of the emerging issues affecting the sector. Many of our clients send us minutes of trustee meetings throughout the year which enables us to keep in touch more effectively and address issues as they arise.

With offices in Newbury, Oxford, Reading, Southampton and London, and a firm wide team of over 200 people, James Cowper Kreston are well placed to advise academies on a wide range of issues.