Academy School Audit Services That Meet Every DfE Requirement
Academy trusts face a unique set of audit and reporting obligations that go well beyond a standard company audit. ABM Chartered Accountants delivers financial statements audits, regularity assurance, and internal scrutiny that satisfy the DfE, Companies House, and the Charity Commission.
Academy Audits Delivered by Specialist Chartered Accountants
Academy trusts are exempt charities and companies limited by guarantee, which means they must comply with company law, charity law, and the DfE’s Academies Accounts Direction all at once. The audit must cover financial statements, regularity, and internal scrutiny. ABM Chartered Accountants handles all three with the sector-specific knowledge your trust requires.
Our ICAEW and ACCA qualified accountants audit academy trust accounts prepared under the Charities SORP and the Academies Accounts Direction. We provide the regularity assurance report, deliver your internal scrutiny programme, certify your Teachers’ Pension return, and support the submission of your accounts to DfE by 31 December.
What Our Academy School Audit Covers
From financial statements to DfE reporting, here is how ABM Chartered Accountants delivers a comprehensive academy trust audit that satisfies every regulatory requirement you face.
Financial Statements Audit
Providing the reporting accountant's regularity report required under your DfE funding agreement.
Regularity Assurance
Providing the reporting accountant's regularity report required under your DfE funding agreement.
Internal Scrutiny
Delivering the internal scrutiny programme required by the Academy Trust Handbook each year.
Accounts Direction Compliance
Ensuring your financial statements meet every requirement of the Academies Accounts Direction.
Teachers' Pension Certification
Auditing and certifying your Teachers' Pension End of Year Certificate as required annually.
DfE Reporting
Supporting the submission of your audited accounts and management letter to DfE by the deadline.
Stay Compliant and Protect Your Funding Agreement
Compliance with the Academies Accounts Direction and the Academy Trust Handbook is a condition of your funding agreement with the DfE. A failure to submit audited accounts on time, or a qualified regularity report, can trigger intervention. ABM Chartered Accountants makes sure your audit is completed properly and submitted before every deadline.
A well-delivered audit also gives your trustees confidence that public funds are being managed correctly. It assures the DfE, parents, and the wider community that your trust operates with regularity, propriety, and sound financial governance. We help you demonstrate that every pound of funding is properly accounted for.
Academy School Audits for Trusts Right Across England
Based in Canary Wharf, London, ABM Chartered Accountants audits academy trusts across England. We visit your schools as needed and work closely with your finance team throughout the process.
Audits for Every Type of Academy Trust
We audit single academy trusts, multi-academy trusts, free schools, and university technical colleges. Whatever the size or structure of your trust, our team has the specialist knowledge to audit it.
Why Trusts Choose ABM Chartered Accountants as Academy Auditors
Chartered Education Auditors
ICAEW and ACCA qualified with academy audit expertise.
Every Deadline Met
DfE, Companies House, and pension returns all filed.
Regularity Assured
Funding compliance confirmed through independent assurance reporting.
How We Work
Initial Consultation
Set Up and Onboard
Ongoing Support
We provide regular reviews and proactive advice to keep your finances optimised and HMRC-compliant.
Get in Touch Today
Whether you need help with your tax return, payroll, VAT, or business advisory, our qualified UK accountants are ready to provide clear, practical guidance for your specific needs.
Book a Consultation
Fill in the form below and one of our expert accountants will contact you promptly to discuss your accounting and tax requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the academy audit questions we hear most often. Contact our team for guidance.
What does an academy school audit involve?
An academy audit includes a statutory audit of the financial statements, a regularity assurance engagement, and submission of the accounts to the DfE. It covers all the requirements set out in the Academies Accounts Direction and the Academy Trust Handbook.
What is the regularity assurance report?
The regularity report is an independent opinion on whether your trust has used its funding in accordance with the purposes intended by Parliament and in compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook. It is a condition of your funding agreement and must accompany your audited accounts.
When must audited accounts be submitted?
Audited accounts must be submitted to the DfE by 31 December each year for the period ending 31 August. They must also be filed with Companies House by 31 May the following year. ABM Chartered Accountants plans the audit to meet both deadlines comfortably.
What is internal scrutiny?
Internal scrutiny is the process of reviewing your trust’s financial and non-financial controls. The Academy Trust Handbook requires all trusts to have a programme of internal scrutiny. Trusts with income above 50 million pounds must use a professional internal audit function from September 2025.
Do you certify the Teachers' Pension return?
Yes. We audit and certify your Teachers’ Pension End of Year Certificate. The unaudited certificate must be submitted by the last working day of May and the audited certificate by the last working day of September. We manage both deadlines for your trust.
How much does an academy school audit cost?
Fees depend on the size of your trust, the number of academies, and the complexity of your operations. We offer transparent, fixed-fee pricing agreed before the audit begins. Contact ABM Chartered Accountants for a tailored quote for your trust.