Academies

Our strong, well-established, dedicated academies audit team comprise over 30 specialist sector staff, including two partners, three directors and seven audit managers, located throughout our five offices. The Academies accounts team can support you with your annual compliance, tax, and advisory services needs.

How can we help?

We provide the following annual compliance services:

Assistance with the preparation of annual accounts and trustees report
Audit work under Companies Act and regularity audit work as required by the ESFA
Assistance with completion and certification of ESFA Annual Accounts Return
Review of Budget Forecast Returns
Audit of contributions to Teachers Pension Scheme
Teaching schools – certification of grant returns
Review of compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook

We also provide tax and advisory services:

Advice on corporation tax status of generated income and on establishment of trading subsidiary company if necessary
Employment taxes – advice and support
Financial due diligence in relation to schools joining a trust; or the trust which a school is proposing to join
Training for academy trustees, governors and members of Senior Leadership Teams
Conversion to academy status

Internal audit

External auditors cannot also be the Internal Auditor of an Academy Trust. We have extensive expertise in the provision of internal audit services to an increasing number of non-audit client trusts, which is provided by a specialist team. Contact us for more details.

How our academies team can assist:

Assisting and supporting schools during the conversion process
Advising on organisational structure in Multi-Academy Trusts
Choosing suitable accounting systems and structuring the chart of accounts to make the production of financial reports and ESFA returns relevant to your trust
Developing appropriate monthly management information for your finance team to present to your Audit Committee
Supporting the finance team as it develops necessary additional skills
Reviewing and advising on financial regulations and annual changes to the Academy Trust Handbook and Academies Accounts Direction

Get in touch

More information for Academies

Academy Accounts Direction 2023-2024

Academy Trust Handbook 2024

Tax advice for Senior School leavers – ASCL partnership

Testimonials

One in a million Free School

BHP are a fantastic firm to work with for the completion of our annual audit and regularity report. Their experience of working with some of the biggest and most successful academy trusts in the county is testament to their brand and the quality of their staff. They are very professional in conduct, whilst exuding an extremely relational approach to how they challenge and support clients to achieve best financial practice and control. I would highly recommend BHP.

Leeds Beckett University

Working with BHP, we have always found them to be extremely supportive and helpful. When we need help and guidance beyond the scope of our annual audit, they are always more than happy to provide advice and make time to work with us to ensure we’re on the right track. I have found them to be a great support and always there when we need them

Accord Multi Academy Trust

This was our first year with BHP and the transition was seamless. The team were friendly and approachable and navigated us through the various tools. Trustees were also very complementary about the accounts presentation and found the diagnostic tool and information useful!

The Mast Academy Trust

The year end audit was a very positive experience. Everything went smoothly. The onsite team was a pleasure to work with.

Inspire Learning Trust

Our Trust has had the pleasure of engaging with BHP for a number of years, during which time they have provided us with invaluable support for a range of financial tasks, including external audits, company accounts, and other reporting requirements. Throughout our dealings with BHP, we have found them to be an exceptional partner, providing our Finance Team with rigorous challenges and advice that have enabled us to improve our practices and procedures. Their approach to external audits is facilitated by an online software package that has proven to be an efficient and effective tool, allowing us to manage these tasks alongside our day-to-day work with ease. In addition, BHP’s team of experts is always on hand to provide us with guidance and support whenever we require it, and we have developed a strong relationship with them over time. The team’s sound knowledge and expertise in the field of multi-academy trusts (MATs) have been instrumental in our success.”

Other specialist teams

Charities & Not-For-Profit

Our team has a wealth of specific expertise and experience in providing auditing, accounting, business and tax advisory services to charities and not-for-profit organisations.

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Healthcare

Our wealth of expertise and experience allows us to provide excellent advisory, accounting and tax planning services to the healthcare industry.

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Manufacturing & Industrials

Our specialist manufacturing, metals & engineering team has significant industry knowledge and experience.

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Pensions Assurance

Experts in audit and advisory services to occupational pension schemes and everything in-between.

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Landed Estates & Agriculture

From small family farms to large landed estates, we provide taxation, accounting and business advice which is built on our highly personalised service.

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Property & Construction

BHP has extensive experience advising clients in the property and construction sector, including property investors, developers, builders and contractors.

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Tech

At BHP, we have a highly experienced team that works closely with a wide range of clients in specialist areas, including marketing and IT companies, web development specialists and tech manufacturing companies.

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Retail & Wholesale

At BHP we have many years of experience advising across a range of retailers from single department stores to fast growing chains; from family-owned to private equity-backed businesses; from value retailers to top market brands.