Education

Education accountants and academy finance specialists in the UK

We provide specialist accounting, audit and advisory services to the education sector, including standalone academy trusts (SATs), multi-academy trusts (MATs) and independent schools across the North.

We understand the increasing financial and regulatory pressures education providers face. Our role is to provide clear, practical support that helps you manage compliance, improve financial performance and focus on delivering high-quality education.

Over time, we have seen our relationships with education clients evolve. Schools and trusts are now more commercially aware and proactive, which means they are looking for deeper insight and more value from their finance partner. We help you achieve exactly that.

Understanding your needs in education

Education organisations need more than just year-end compliance. They need ongoing support to manage budgets, control costs and ensure financial sustainability.

We support SATs, MATs and schools with:

  • Year-end accounts and financial reporting
  • External audit of financial statements and the Academy Accounts Return (AAR)
  • Internal audit
  • Teachers’ pension scheme audits (TPS)
  • Annex G and other grant audits
  • Budget setting and monitoring
  • Cash flow management
  • Cost control and efficiency reviews
  • Tax and VAT compliance
  • Strategic financial planning

Our aim is to give you clarity, confidence and control over your finances throughout the year, not just at year end.

Specialist academy and education finance expertise

We are trusted advisers to the education sector, currently acting for over 50 education establishments, supported by a team of experienced partners.

Our expertise includes:

  • Academy trust accounting and compliance
  • Charity accounting and governance
  • DfE reporting and liaison
  • VAT advice for education providers
  • Corporation tax and trading subsidiaries
  • Internal audit and risk assurance

We are also actively involved in shaping best practice in the sector, including contributions to national benchmarking and education finance reporting.

Why education providers choose us

Education organisations choose us because we combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of the sector.

  • Over 20 years’ experience working with schools and academies
  • Involved in the Kreston UK Academies Benchmark Report since its inception in 2015. See the Kreston Academies Benchmarking Report 2026 for the latest report.
  • Act for more than 50 education establishments, managed by two dedicated partners
  • Extensive charity expertise, including ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting (DChA) holder
  • Specialist knowledge of VAT, corporation tax and trading subsidiaries for charities
  • Access to a wider network supporting over 1,200 academies and 1,500 charities across England
  • Regular communication, including meetings, newsletters and e-bulletins
  • Strong working relationships with the DfE developed over the past decade
  • Guest speakers at national education finance events including Schools North East, NASBM and ISBA
  • Regular seminars covering VAT, procurement, cyber security, internal assurance and year-end accounts

Education sector support services

We provide a full range of services designed specifically for education providers:

Financial compliance and reporting

  • Year-end accounts preparation
  • Academy trust financial statements
  • Charity SORP compliance
  • DfE reporting support

Internal audit and risk assurance

  • Internal audit services
  • Governance and risk reviews
  • Financial controls assessment

Budgeting and financial planning

  • Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP)
  • Budget setting and monitoring
  • Long-term financial planning

VAT and tax support for education

  • VAT advice for academies and schools
  • Corporation tax compliance
  • Trading subsidiary structuring and advice

Strategic education finance advice

  • Cost and efficiency reviews
  • Benchmarking and performance analysis
  • Financial sustainability planning

Specialist support for academies

We provide tailored support for academy trusts of all sizes, helping you manage DfE requirements, improve financial control and strengthen governance.

Our academy services include:

  • Academy conversion support
  • DfE compliance and reporting
  • Budget monitoring and forecasting
  • VAT recovery and optimisation
  • Internal assurance and audit

We also support trusts in developing stronger financial systems through tools such as Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP), helping you align spending with educational outcomes.

Support for independent schools

We also work with independent schools to improve financial sustainability, strengthen governance and manage compliance.

Our support includes:

  • Financial reporting and budgeting
  • VAT and tax advice
  • Cash flow and cost management
  • Strategic planning and growth support
  • Risk and governance reviews

VAT support for education providers

VAT is a complex area for independent schools, academy trusts.

We provide clear, practical VAT advice to help you stay compliant and recover VAT where possible.

We support with:

  • VAT on academy and school expenditure
  • Partial exemption calculations
  • Trading company VAT issues
  • Capital project VAT planning

A long-term partner for education finance

We build long-term relationships with education providers, supporting you through every stage, from academy conversion to expansion and ongoing financial management.

Whether you need day-to-day support or strategic advice, we help you make confident financial decisions that support educational outcomes.

Speak to our education specialists

If you are looking for experienced education accountants for SATs, MATs or independent schools in the UK, we are here to help.

Contact us today to find out how we can support your organisation with expert financial advice, compliance support and long-term strategic planning.

Phone

CALL US 01325 349700



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