The Academies Bill 2010 enables all maintained schools to apply to become academies. Academy status provides welcomed independence and freedom to enable academies to prioritise according to pupil needs, but there are challenges ahead with funding pressures and new statutory responsibilities. Our Academies Team has extensive experience of the issues affecting converting and new academies and can support you during this period of change. The services we offer include:
As experienced advisers to academies our audit and assurance services are tailored to suit the specific needs of your academy. We ensure our work is effective and efficient by focusing on key issues well ahead of the year-end; this enables us to meet your timetable with ease and ensures our work is directed to critical areas.
Our experience in the education sector ensures that we fully understand the environment in which you operate and the issues you face.
We can provide a range of support services to enable academies to comply with their financial and regulatory responsibilities, including:
• preparation of the academy’s year-end financial statements;
• completion of responsible officer testing;
• completion of the Teachers Pension Scheme and TR17a returns;
• completion of the Whole of Government Accounts return;
• training and guidance to Governors regarding their roles and responsibilities as company directors and charity trustees; and
• advising on internal controls and budgetary systems.
We can also undertake due diligence reviews of the financial, governance and funding implications of conversion so you are fully aware of the impact on your school.
The haysmacintyre VAT team is highly experienced in working with academies at different stages of conversion. The team has built a strong reputation based on negotiating with the authorities and advising on complex issues.
Our VAT team can provide advice in respect of the interaction between the new academy and normal VAT rules. We can also assist with VAT registration and any queries you may have regarding completion of the VAT returns or VAT reclaims.
We provide the compliance support necessary to relieve the regulatory burden and provide a comprehensive advisory service.
The direct tax work we provide covers completion and submission of corporation tax returns, where required, and advising on income derived from trading activities to minimise tax liabilities.
At haysmacintyre our employment tax team is experienced in advising on PAYE and benefit compliance issues and identifying areas of potential risk, particularly in relation to the education sector. We can provide PAYE and benefit health checks and can manage compliance visits including negotiating settlements.
Our company secretarial team provide a complete compliance and advisory service.