Education accountants

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.

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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.

 

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.

Education sector support services

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

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

 

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.

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Clive Owen LLP accounting services

As a company with a strong global presence, our accounting needs are naturally complex and continually evolving, which required a trusted and forward-thinking professional services partner.

SeAH Wind enjoys an excellent working relationship with Clive Owen LLP, benefiting greatly from the team’s proactive approach that has helped to deliver on a range of tailored solutions to support the company’s growth.

This breadth of knowledge and expertise has been instrumental in meeting the detailed needs of our business, and we would not hesitate to recommend Clive Owen LLP.

SeAH Wind

Charlotte Matthewson and Lucy Lawson said: “We chose Clive Owen as our group auditors after a thorough and competitive tender process.  A combination of experience, technical ability, personable team and value and influenced our decision.  Their local presence is also an advantage.

Having recently completed the first year audit, we are delighted with the Clive Owen team.  The timeliness of completion and their ability to grasp a new business with multiple acquisitions and group reorganisations in the year, and their pragmatic approach to the process, including the opening balance audit were excellent.  The process was a positive one.

James and his team are great to work with and we look forward to working with them going forward.”
Anglotechgroup

Anglotech Group

Carolyn Dent from Bishop Chadwick Education Trust said,
“We have used Clive Owen LLP since February 2016, when we were incorporated. They originally acted as both our external and internal auditors, and since the financial year 2020/21, they have acted solely as our external auditors.
They have also supported us with auditing services for teachers’ pensions and external grant assurance services.
Our organisation must comply with the Academy Trust Handbook, and the work we do with Clive Owen LLP enables us to achieve this requirement.
Through the audit process, our auditors help us improve performance and streamline our processes, ensuring compliance and allowing us to better support our schools. As our auditors, they highlight our strengths and provide guidance where we have areas for development.
I would recommend Clive Owen LLP. Their processes are thorough, robust, and timely. Our auditors are always helpful and supportive, and happy to answer any ad hoc queries throughout the year.

Bishop Chadwick Education Trust

At Kasai UK, we greatly valued the support provided by Clive Owen LLP in securing a Business Growth Fund grant to help develop our solvent-free manufacturing process.
Their expert guidance and proactive management of the application played a key role in helping us access the funding needed to support our greener, more sustainable production ambitions.
As a business that is becoming increasingly climate-conscious, it was important for us to work with advisers who share similar values. Clive Owen’s commitment as climate champions meant they really understood both our commercial objectives and our environmental priorities, adding genuine value throughout the process.

Anne Marie Coyle, Kasai UK

Kasai UK