FAO: Headteacher, Chair of Governors and Business Manager / Administrator

FAO: Headteacher, Chair of Governors and Business Manager / Administrator

AcademySchool Support

The Government’s drive to encourage schools to become an Academy is firmly in place. If you have already agreed to become an Academy or are considering Academy Status you will wish to ensure you are aware of the governance, financial and operational implications. The opportunities for becoming an academy are clearly appealing to many however, there are significant risks involved in the decisions to be made and in establishing a sound framework of internal control.

As a new organisation you will be concerned to ensure that risks both financial or otherwise are adequately managed and controlled. The transfer will mean that many systems may have to be replaced, modified or re-established, for example the financial system and payroll, governance and budget monitoring, to ensure that they meet your objectives and requirements. We can undertake reviews and offer advice in these areas and are committed to providing services to academies.

Our Team of dedicated schools auditors hasa wide range of experience in auditing schools and colleges and are fully committed to supporting schools, staff and governors. Over many years we have developed a well respected audit service supporting schools achievement of a sound framework of control for the benefit of pupils, staff and governors.Our academy service builds on this knowledge.

We are flexible in the services we offer, andour delivery, to meet the needs of your School and we will develop our services with you. We would propose a full and open discussion with the School’s Governors and Senior Management to agree their needs. As a not-for profit organisation we offer a very cost effective service which is evident through the high level of customer satisfaction we receive.

Our core options for Academies include:

• Responsible Officer Assurance - compliance reviews to support thedischarge of the Responsible Officer duties per the Academies Financial Handbook;
• support and review of your Academies Financial Management & Governance Return;
• full risk based internal audit coverage over a period (annual to triennial) to suit your Academy’s need;
• start-up audit to provide assurance on new governance arrangements andpolicy, and to review new key financial systems e.g. finance and payrollincluding assurance on data transfer and for continuity of provision;
• support for the Audit Committee;
• a wide range of additional review services including risk management, governance,health-checks and training;
• assurance on the DfE Financial Standard (new for Summer 2011)

Financial requirements are set out in the School’s Funding Agreement and theAcademies Financial Handbook. Our audit will be tailored to meet these requirements. Initially our wish would be to agree the audit need and most suitable service tomeet the requirements of the Governors, School, Senior Management and Pupils.

For further information please contact

David Curnow

Audit Manager - Schools

Helpline: 01392 382586 (office hrs)

Email: