Accountancy and auditing for schools and academies

Since 2009, Forrester Boyd chartered accountants have been working with schools and academies, supporting them with the conversion process and the exciting opportunities this brings.

Today, we act directly for approximately 72 trusts, of which there are 34 multi-academy trusts covering a broad range of schools including secondaries, primaries and special schools.

Our experience and knowledge of the education sector means that we really do understand the challenges that you face, and we work with you to ensure you have the advice and support through every stage of the growth and development of your academy.

Download our Academies brochure for more information>>>

Continual learning & development

Our specialist academy advisers sit on the charities and education committee of UK200Group, a leading association of independent chartered accountants and law firms with global connections.

Collectively, UK200 supports in excess of 500 independent schools and academies throughout the UK, meaning that we are continually learning from each other’s experiences and sharing best practice. We are also involved with the ESFA Auditors’ Forum which gives us a direct voice and input into the latest information from the ESFA, ensuring that we can bring this expertise and knowledge back to you.

How we can help

Our Academy team are experts in supporting head teachers, governors and finance executives with:

Internal controls

Process efficiency
Finance team procedures
Trustee documentation & policies

Structure

Governance
Centralisation
Procurement
Integrated curriculum financial planning
Commercial trading activities
Subsidiaries

Monitoring

Budget setting & reporting
Benchmarking
KPIs
Management Accounts
Internal Scrutiny

Finance

Condition improvement fund
Salix funding
Investments*
Revenue maximisation
Recovery plans
Due diligence

Operations

Training
Software
Process updating
Supplier contracts
Banking
Data security

Compliance

End of year/in year reporting
ESFA reporting/query management
Related party transactions
Internal/External audits
VAT/PAYE/MTD/Corporation tax
Financial handbook
Companies House
Gender reporting
Pensions (EOYC)
IR35

* Wealth management services are provided by Forrester Boyd Wealth Management, which is a trading style of FB Wealth Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

We live and breathe academies

We understand that our support extends way beyond just compliance, which is why we focus on providing you and your trustees with the solutions before the problems.

We have a highly experienced and exceptional team who all live and breathe academies.

This is reflective in the positions that our team hold. Various members are trustees of charities and members of governing bodies which affords us a more in-depth understanding of your unique needs.

What our clients say...

We were impressed by the extent of technical and business oriented support offered by Kevin Hopper at Forrester Boyd when we first achieved Academy status. Since then we have found him easy to access for ongoing help and guidance when we need it.
Tony Wood - Director of Finance at St. Lawrence Academy, Scunthorpe