Accountants for Academies
Combining technical expertise and commercial acumen to help academy schools identify and solve challenges, achieve financial stability, and develop long-term growth strategies.
Our team has an in-depth understanding of the education sector and the challenges academies face. We act as a sounding board, understanding future plans, and providing comprehensive support and solutions.
MHA is one of largest providers of audit services to the sector, and team members have had significant technical input into legislative changes. We helped to compile an early version of the Academies Accounts Direction and served on the national charity Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Committee.
Our academies team advise on:
Academies Insight and Events
Private and independent schools: Budget day VAT guidance from HMRC
A sneak peak into 2025….
Procurement Act 2023
Streamlined energy and carbon reporting for college corporations
Guidance to support post-16 funding assurance audits
ESFA Closure
Why MHA?
- We have vast experience and serve as auditors and advisers to over 200 academy schools.
- We have strong sector connections and input – we are one of the largest providers of audit services in the education sector.
- We are ambitious for our clients; we are not afraid to speak up when we see a better solution.
- We are proactive in our approach and host regular workshops and training sessions for finance staff and trustees.
- We offer access to a wide number of specialists, helping academies get to grips with complex areas like VAT, tax issues and structure.
Our Academies team
With this commitment and sector exposure, we draw upon our collective in-depth knowledge and experience to guide clients effectively.
Additional service areas
- What to keep in mind during the academy conversion process
- Setting up systems and procedures for new academies
- Internal audit, extended external audit and other assurance services
- Employment tax issues and engagement of workers
- Advice on optimal structures for commercial trading activities
- Due diligence for potential mergers into multi-academy trusts
- Trustee responsibilities and governance to comply with the Academy Trust Handbook (also known as the Academies Financial Handbook)