Schools

Audit and support for independent schools and academies

Hillier Hopkins LLP

Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisers

Call +44 (0)330 024 3200 and discover how we can help you.

Progressive and high achieving schools need advisers with specialist expertise and a whole range of supportive services to help you reach your full potential.

Academy Schools

Each academy has its own individual needs, and we work closely with you to provide you with the help and support that’s perfect for your school. We understand the budgetary pressure on schools and offer a fixed fee which includes unlimited telephone and email support for routine queries. This means that you can budget your audit costs with confidence knowing there will be no nasty surprises at the end of the year.

Our team are fully trained in academy audits, and are fully conversant with the Academies Financial Handbook. They can also assist you with advice, support and training throughout the conversion process and in to the future.

Our full range of services includes:

Academy conversion advice and support

  • Practical accounting changes arising from Academy status
  • Appropriate use of a Trading subsidiary
  • VAT review
  • Assistance with calculation of “agreed surplus”
  • Risk management

Post conversion

  • Audit of the Academy Trust financial statements
  • Preparation of the year end financial statements
  • Ongoing VAT advice, updates and reclaims
  • Assistance with reviewing and updating your Financial systems (incl the Financial Management and Governance Evaluation (FMGE) forms)
  • Assistance with the role of Responsible Officer (Internal Audit)
  • Assistance with the preparation of the Abbreviated Accounts Return (AAR)
  • Assistance with the preparation of the Whole of Government Accounts Return (WGA)
  • Assistance with budgeting and management information
  • Bookkeeping, management accounts and payroll services
  • Trustee and governor training on running a charitable company
  • Assistance with separate grant claims and audit of grant spend
  • Advice and support on teacher pension scheme and tax efficient benefits
  • Employment & HR matters

Independent Schools

We work in partnership with you and provide a package that fits your school perfectly. We help to make your audit process more efficient and streamlined and prevent your audit costs from spiralling out of control. ​We also offer a full range of advice and support that helps to reduce your administrative burden and allows you to focus on running a successful school.​

Our services include:

  • Preparation of the year end financial statements – SORP compliant (our charity team have the ICAEW charity accounting diploma)
  • Audit of the year end financial statements
  • Payroll services
  • Assistance with separate grant claims
  • VAT compliance and reviews
  • Teachers pension scheme & other benefits
  • Charitable company status & advice on responsibilities of directors/trustees
  • Employment & HR matters
  • Bookkeeping services
  • Assistance with budgeting & management information

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