Schools looking for accountancy support can choose from firms focused heavily on academy compliance, practices with independent school expertise, and larger advisers covering the wider education sector. The companies below can be compared on areas such as statutory audit, internal scrutiny, VAT, payroll, management accounts, governance and academy trust support. This is a practical selection rather than a ranking.
Acumon
Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing specialist accounting and external audit services to academy trusts, independent schools, colleges, training providers and other education organisations.
The firm works with education finance teams, governors and trustees to support statutory audit and financial reporting requirements under the Academy Trust Handbook, the Academies Accounts Direction and relevant charity and company law frameworks. Audit and assurance work is planned around the Department for Education (DfE) timetable, including the requirement for academy trusts to submit audited financial statements, the auditor’s management letter and the internal scrutiny annual summary by 31 December.
Acumon is an ICAEW-registered and FRC-authorised audit firm. For academy trusts this includes both the true-and-fair audit opinion and the separate regularity assurance conclusion required for public funds. The firm also supports independent schools (most of which are charitable companies and therefore subject to charity audit thresholds and the Charities SORP), further education and sixth-form colleges, Office for Students-registered higher education providers, and independent training providers.
Education organisations frequently face short reporting windows, multiple funding streams, regularity and related-party requirements, Teachers’ Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Scheme accounting under FRS 102, and (for independent schools) VAT on private school fees introduced from January 2025. Acumon combines education-sector audit experience with integrated VAT, tax and payroll advice and delivers fieldwork on a hybrid on-site and remote basis that takes account of term-time pressures.
Education Capabilities:
Acumon provides external audit and related accounting support across a range of education structures. These include:
- Academy trusts and multi-academy trusts (audited accounts, regularity assurance, management letter and internal scrutiny summary to the DfE by 31 December)
- Independent schools (fee income recognition, fees in advance, bursaries, restricted funds, endowments and VAT on fees)
- Further education and sixth-form colleges
- Higher education providers registered with the Office for Students
- Independent training providers claiming apprenticeship and adult skills funding
- Support with Teachers’ Pension Scheme and LGPS (defined benefit) accounting and related actuarial evidence
These services enable the firm to support education organisations with statutory audit, regularity and financial reporting requirements while helping strengthen financial processes, governance and internal controls.
Regulatory Licences and Registrations:
Acumon holds several audit registrations that enable it to support organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions.
These include:
- UK statutory audit registration
- Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence
- Jersey audit licence
- Isle of Man audit licence
- Cayman Islands audit licence
- British Virgin Islands audit licence
These registrations allow the firm to provide audit services to groups that include entities in both the UK and key international financial centres.
Core Services:
In addition to statutory external audit, Acumon provides a range of services that support financial reporting and governance.
These include:
- Statutory external audit
- Group and subsidiary audits
- Public Interest Entity (PIE) audits
- Charity and not-for-profit audit
- Audit of international group structures
- Internal audit and governance reviews
- Risk management and compliance support
Audit work is often delivered alongside discussions with management and boards regarding financial reporting processes and governance frameworks.
Many organisations initially encounter statutory audit requirements as they grow and exceed the audit exemption thresholds set out in the Companies Act.
Acumon works with businesses that are:
- Approaching their first statutory audit
- Preparing for external investment
- Expanding into international markets
- Operating within corporate group structures
Early engagement with an audit firm can help ensure that financial reporting systems and documentation are aligned with statutory audit requirements.
Contact Information:
- Website: acumon.com
- Phone: 020 8567 3451
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
Bishop Fleming
Bishop Fleming has a dedicated education practice working with academy schools and other education providers. Its services extend beyond annual audit and accounts into internal assurance, VAT, tax, payroll, due diligence and support with financial systems. Academy conversion is another established part of the practice. Bishop Fleming states that it has helped more than 150 academies through conversion, giving the team experience with the financial and reporting changes involved when schools move away from local authority arrangements.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Multi-academy trusts and schools requiring established academy audit and advisory experience
- Core services: Audit and accounts, internal audit, VAT, tax, payroll, due diligence and accounting system support
- Academy experience: More than 150 academy conversions supported
- Sector research: Publishes an annual academies benchmarking report
Contact Information:
- Website: www.bishopfleming.co.uk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Life-at-Bishop-Fleming/100093464198343
- Twitter: x.com/BishopFlemingUK
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bishop-fleming-chartered-accountants
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bishopfleminguk
- Address: 55 Colmore Row Birmingham B3 2AA
- Phone: 03333 219000
UHY Hacker Young
UHY Hacker Young has a substantial specialist practice covering academy, free and independent schools. The firm works with more than 500 academies and free schools across the UK, including single academy trusts and multi-academy trusts.
Its school accountancy work covers statutory audit, preparation of accounts under the Academies Accounts Direction and Charities SORP, Teachers’ Pension audits, internal scrutiny, VAT reviews, budget forecasts, governance support and bookkeeping. Schools can also use UHY for management accounts and support when setting up or changing accounting systems.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academy trusts wanting a firm with a large existing education client base
- Core services: Statutory audit, academy accounts, internal scrutiny, VAT, pensions, bookkeeping and management accounts
- School coverage: Academies, free schools and independent schools
- Sector scale: Works with more than 500 academies and free schools
Contact Information:
- Website: www.uhy-uk.com
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: +44 115 959 0900
- Address: 14 Park Row, Nottingham, NG1 6GR
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/uhyuk
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/uhy-hacker-young
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/uhy_uk
Buzzacott
Buzzacott’s education team supports more than 200 clients, including academy trusts, independent schools, further education colleges and higher education institutions. That gives the firm exposure to several different education funding and reporting models rather than only one part of the sector.
For schools and academy trusts, its core offering centres on audit and assurance, tax and VAT advisory work. Buzzacott also publishes annual academy trust benchmarking research, which may be useful for finance teams comparing financial performance and planning assumptions against the wider academy sector.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academy trusts and independent schools seeking a specialist education audit and tax team
- Core services: Education audit, tax and VAT advisory
- Education coverage: Academy trusts, independent schools, further education and higher education
- Sector experience: Supports more than 200 education clients
Contact Information:
- Website: www.buzzacott.co.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)20 7556 1200
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 130 Wood Street, London, EC2V 6DL
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Buzzacott/100066357656648
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/buzzacott
MHA
MHA has separate education teams covering academies, independent schools, further education and higher education. Its academy practice acts as auditor and adviser to more than 200 academy schools, while its independent schools team focuses on financial health, reporting and compliance.
For academy trusts, the firm covers audit, accounting and reporting requirements as well as internal audit, academy conversion, multi-academy trust development, employment tax, trading structures, due diligence and governance. MHA has also had technical involvement in education reporting, including work connected with earlier versions of the Academies Accounts Direction and the charity SORP framework.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academies and independent schools needing both compliance and broader advisory services
- Core services: Audit, accounting, internal audit, tax, conversion support, due diligence and governance
- Academy client base: More than 200 academy schools
- Education coverage: Academies, independent schools, further education and higher education
Contact Information:
- Website: www.mha.co.uk
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/MHA-Accountants/100063452388108
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mha-uk
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mhaaccountants
- Phone: +44 (0)20 7429 4100
- Address: 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
Crowe UK
Crowe UK works with both single and multi-academy trusts and also maintains a specialist independent schools practice. Its academy services cover audit and assurance, VAT and tax, bookkeeping and management accounts, Teachers’ Pension Scheme and grant audits, internal audit, governance and due diligence.
This breadth can suit trusts that need support throughout the year rather than only for the statutory year-end audit. Crowe also provides benchmarking and regulatory updates for academy finance teams and maintains specialist advice around the financial and reporting issues affecting independent schools.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academy trusts needing audit, accounting, tax and governance support across several areas
- Core services: Audit, VAT and tax, bookkeeping, management accounts, internal audit, governance and due diligence
- Education coverage: Single academy trusts, MATs and independent schools
- Delivery options: Audit work can be carried out on-site or remotely
Contact Information:
- Website: www.crowe.com
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: +44 (0)1624 627335
- Address: 55 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JW
- Twitter: x.com/CroweUK
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/crowe-uk
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/crowe_uk
Moore UK
Moore UK provides accounting and advisory services to more than 300 education organisations across the country. Its client base includes independent schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, Oxford colleges and other education groups.
The education practice combines statutory audit and accounting with tax, pensions and outsourced finance support. Moore also advises schools and trusts during academy conversion and on financial controls, governance and reporting. Its wider education team brings in specialists from areas such as corporate finance, digital transformation and data protection when these issues become part of a school’s financial or operational plans.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Education groups looking for access to accounting and wider professional advisory services
- Core services: Audit, accounting, tax, pensions, outsourced finance and academy advisory
- Education coverage: Independent schools, academies, MATs and other education institutions
- Sector scale: Advises more than 300 education organisations across the UK
Contact Information:
- Website: mooreks.co.uk
- Twitter: x.com/MooreKSLLP
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/moore-kingston-smith
- Address: 6th Floor, 9 Appold Street, London, EC2A 2AP
- Phone: +44 (0)20 4582 1000
RSM UK
RSM UK provides specialist regulation, assurance and consultancy services across the education sector. Its academy team has sector experience and works with academy trusts across the country, including large multi-academy trusts.
The education practice also covers charitable independent schools, further education and higher education. RSM combines audit and assurance work with regulatory and advisory support, and members of its education team include professionals with practical agency, regulatory and school governor experience. The firm also works with the Department for Education and Education and Skills Funding Agency on sector matters.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Larger academy trusts and education organisations with substantial audit and regulatory requirements
- Core services: Audit, assurance, education regulation, tax and consultancy
- Education coverage: Academies, independent schools, further education and higher education
- Academy experience: More than 28 years in the sector
Contact Information:
- Website: www.rsmuk.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rsm-uk
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rsm.uk
- Address: 5th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL
- Phone: +44 (0)113 285 5000
Kreston Reeves
Kreston Reeves has a specialist academies and education team whose work includes academy trusts, schools, free schools and other educational institutions. Its advisers include people with direct experience as governors and charity trustees, adding a practical governance perspective to the firm’s accounting work.
Services include accountancy, internal and external audit, academy conversion support, VAT and tax advice, fundraising and financial controls. The practice also supports trusts as they expand, including the financial and reporting questions that arise when schools join a MAT.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academies, free schools and growing trusts needing audit and ongoing advisory support
- Core services: Accountancy, internal and external audit, VAT, tax, conversion and financial controls
- Education coverage: Academies, schools, free schools and other educational institutions
- Additional focus: Governance and academy trust development
Contact Information:
- Website: www.krestonreeves.com
- Phone: +44 (0)330 124 1399
- Address: 2nd Floor, 168 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6RA
- Twitter: x.com/KrestonReeves
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kreston-reeves
BHP
BHP has a dedicated academies team covering both annual compliance and wider financial support. Its work includes annual accounts, external and regularity audits, Accounts Returns, Teachers’ Pension Scheme audits, grant certifications and reviews against the Academy Trust Handbook.
The firm has a separate internal audit service for trusts where it is not acting as external auditor. It also advises on academy conversion, MAT structures, accounting systems, employment and corporation tax, due diligence and management information. This makes the practice particularly focused on the operational requirements faced by academy finance teams and trustees.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academy trusts wanting a dedicated sector team for compliance and finance improvement
- Core services: Accounts, external audit, regularity audit, internal audit, pensions, tax and due diligence
- Specialization: Academies and multi-academy trusts
- Additional support: Governance, accounting systems, management information and trustee training
Contact Information:
- Website: bhp.co.uk
- E-mail: [email protected]
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bhpaccountants
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bhpaccountants
- Address: 1st Floor, Mayesbrook House, Lawnswood Business Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 6QY
- Phone: 0113 274 3496
James Cowper Kreston
James Cowper Kreston maintains a dedicated education team for academies and multi-academy trusts. Its approach is not limited to the autumn audit period, with the firm providing ongoing contact on developing financial and regulatory issues throughout the year.
The service range includes audit and accounts, accounting software changes, academy conversion, employment and corporation tax, governance, internal assurance and scrutiny, Teachers’ Pension Scheme work and VAT compliance. Internal assurance programmes can also cover budgeting, procurement, payroll, risk management and other control areas selected by the trust and its audit committee.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academies and MATs seeking ongoing support outside the annual audit timetable
- Core services: Audit and accounts, internal scrutiny, tax, VAT, pensions and governance
- Additional services: Academy conversion and accounting software support
- Sector team: Dedicated education specialists within the firm
Contact Information:
- Website: www.jamescowperkreston.co.uk
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: +44 (0)203 817 9350
- Address: 11th Floor, 30 Crown Place, London EC2A 4EB
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamescowperkreston
- Twitter: x.com/JamesCowperk
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/james-cowper-kreston
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamescowperkreston
HaysMac
HaysMac has a particularly strong focus on independent schools while also working with multi-academy trusts, universities, colleges and national education bodies. The firm advises more than 100 independent schools.
Its education work combines audit and accounting with tax, VAT, financial modelling, due diligence and wider advisory support. Recent school publications have also covered the VAT regime for independent school fees, accounting changes and governance issues. This makes HaysMac particularly relevant to independent schools managing both charity accounting requirements and the financial effects of recent tax changes.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Independent schools with audit, accounting, VAT and strategic finance requirements
- Core services: Audit, accounting, tax, VAT, financial modelling and advisory
- Education coverage: Independent schools, MATs, colleges, universities and education bodies
- Independent school experience: Advises more than 100 independent schools
Contact Information:
- Website: haysmac.com
- E-mail: [email protected]
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/haysmac
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeat_haysmac
- Address: 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG
- Phone: 020 7969 5500
Streets
Streets provides accountancy, audit and business advice specifically for schools, academies, MATs, free schools and independent institutions. Its school accounting services cover both statutory compliance and the regular financial information needed by leadership teams and governors.
The team handles external audit, Teachers’ Pension Scheme audits, DfE reporting, statutory accounts, management accounts, cash flow forecasting, payroll and pensions. It also advises on VAT and partial exemption for independent schools, academy conversion, governance, budgeting and financial due diligence when trusts are growing or taking on additional schools.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Individual schools and MATs wanting practical accounting and DfE compliance support
- Core services: Audit, accounts, management reporting, payroll, pensions, VAT and forecasting
- Education coverage: Maintained schools, independent schools, academies, MATs, free schools and special schools
- Additional support: Governance, academy conversion and financial due diligence
Contact Information:
- Website: www.streets.uk
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 020 3463 5858
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/StreetsAccountants
- Twitter: x.com/StreetsAcc
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/streetsaccountants
- Address: 348 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7LQ
Albert Goodman
Albert Goodman’s academies and education team works with academies and multi-academy trusts across the South West. The firm’s specialists advise school senior management, trustees, business managers and finance teams on accounting, audit, tax, governance and compliance.
Its service list includes statutory accounts, year-end audit, internal audit, Teachers’ Pension Scheme audit, ESFA returns, management accounts, budgeting and forecasting. Schools can also use Albert Goodman for academy conversion, payroll, due diligence, financial controls and governor training. The firm’s regional focus may suit schools and trusts that prefer advisers with an established presence across the South West.
Key Facts:
- Ideal for: Academies and MATs in the South West
- Core services: Statutory accounts, audit, internal audit, pensions, ESFA returns, management accounts and payroll
- Additional support: Budgeting, forecasting, governance, conversion and due diligence
- Regional coverage: Works with academy organisations across the South West
Contact Information:
- Website: albertgoodman.co.uk
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 01823 286096
- Address: Goodwood House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton TA1 2PX
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlbertGoodmanLLP
- Twitter: x.com/AG_LLP
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/albertgoodman
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/albert_goodman
Conclusion
Accountancy needs differ considerably between an academy trust and an independent school. Academy-focused firms tend to place more emphasis on the Academies Accounts Direction, regularity, ESFA reporting, internal scrutiny and Teachers’ Pension Scheme requirements. Independent schools may place more weight on charity accounting, VAT, tax planning, trading activities and longer-term financial modelling.
The right choice therefore depends on the school’s structure and the work it wants to outsource. Some organisations may only need a specialist external auditor, while others will benefit from a provider that can also handle management accounts, payroll, VAT, internal scrutiny or finance advisory work throughout the year.