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CASS 5 Audit Companies in Aberdeen: Practical Overview and Selection Guide

This practical guide walks you through CASS 5 Audit companies operating in Aberdeen. Rather than ranking them, we provide a clear overview of who these companies are, the clients they serve, and what they bring to CASS 5 audits.

Aberdeen-based companies in this space range from larger organisations with broad capabilities to more specialised teams focused specifically on client money compliance. Each delivers independent CASS 5 audits that examine segregation of client funds, daily reconciliations, client money calculations, approved bank arrangements, and supporting controls.

You will see how these companies support different types of FCA-regulated investment businesses – from smaller advisory firms to larger operations holding significant client assets. This overview gives you the context needed to understand their approaches and decide which might best fit your requirements.

Acumon 

Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing specialist CASS audit services to FCA-regulated investment companies. The firm focuses on client money compliance under the Client Assets Sourcebook, with particular expertise in CASS 5 audits for insurance intermediaries and other entities handling client funds.

Acumon delivers independent assurance engagements that examine segregation of client money, daily reconciliations, client money calculations and related governance arrangements. The company supports organisations across the UK, including those with operations linked to Aberdeen and other regional centres, helping them meet FCA regulatory expectations.

The firm’s approach combines technical knowledge of CASS rules with practical understanding of operational challenges faced by regulated companies. Audit work emphasises clear documentation, robust controls and timely identification of any issues. This helps companies maintain compliance while protecting client assets effectively.

Acumon holds the necessary regulatory registrations to perform both reasonable assurance and limited assurance CASS engagements. The team works directly with finance and compliance teams to ensure audits are efficient and aligned with each company’s specific business model.

Many regulated companies turn to specialist providers like Acumon when their client money activities expand or when preparing for increased regulatory focus. The firm delivers CASS 5 audits that provide independent assurance and actionable insights for ongoing compliance.

Audit Capabilities:

Acumon provides CASS 5 audit services across a range of regulated organisations.

These include:

  • FCA-regulated investment companies
  • Insurance intermediaries holding client money
  • Firms requiring reasonable assurance reports
  • Entities needing limited assurance engagements
  • Companies with complex client money arrangements
  • Organisations operating across multiple UK locations

Audit engagements are typically led by senior professionals with direct involvement throughout the process.

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:

Johnston Carmichael

Johnston Carmichael supports FCA regulated investment companies with CASS 5 audit services focused on client money protection. The company works with insurance intermediaries and other entities handling client funds across Aberdeen and the wider UK. Their approach combines specialist knowledge of regulatory requirements with practical understanding of operational challenges in this area.

The dedicated team examines segregation of client money, daily reconciliations, client money calculations and related governance arrangements. They also review technology controls in collaboration with IT specialists to identify potential risks early. This integrated method helps companies maintain compliance while addressing specific aspects of their business models. Johnston Carmichael delivers both reasonable and limited assurance engagements depending on client needs. They issue management letters with observations from the audit process to support ongoing improvements in controls and procedures.

Key Highlights:

  • Dedicated CASS audit team
  • Real world operational experience
  • Integrated IT controls review
  • Proactive regulatory monitoring
  • Long term client relationships
  • Collaborative audit approach

Services:

  • Client money segregation reviews
  • Daily reconciliation assessments
  • Governance and control evaluations
  • Breach identification processes
  • Management letter recommendations
  • CASS safeguarding audits
  • Regulatory reporting support

Contact Information:

  • Website: johnstoncarmichael.com
  • Phone: 01224 212222
  • Email: dpo@jcca.co.uk
  • Address: Bishop’s Court, 29 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1YL
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/johnston-carmichael-chartered-accountants-and-business-advisers
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/JohnstonCarmichael
  • Twitter: x.com/JC_Accountants
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/johnston_carmichael

Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton Aberdeen delivers audit and assurance services to financial services companies in the region. The Aberdeen office supports local and national clients with specialist work in client asset protection under FCA rules. Their teams focus on regulated entities that handle client money and assets.

The company provides CASS assurance engagements that cover key compliance areas for insurance intermediaries and similar businesses. They combine sector knowledge with practical testing of processes to help companies meet ongoing regulatory expectations. This work forms part of their wider assurance offering for financial services organisations operating in Aberdeen and beyond.

Key Highlights:

  • Local Aberdeen presence
  • Specialist financial services focus
  • Integrated assurance approach
  • Client asset protection expertise
  • Practical regulatory support

Services:

  • Reconciliation process reviews
  • Controls testing procedures
  • Governance framework assessments
  • Risk management evaluations
  • Breach remediation support
  • CASS assurance reporting

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.grantthornton.co.uk
  • Phone: +44 (0)1224 925 986
  • Email: dan.j.dickinson@uk.gt.com
  • Address: Neo House, Riverside Drive, Aberdeen, AB11 7LH
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/grant-thornton-uk
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/gt_trainees

KPMG

KPMG Aberdeen offers audit and assurance services to financial services companies across the area. Their teams support FCA regulated entities with compliance work related to client money and assets. The Aberdeen office provides access to national expertise while maintaining local presence.

The company conducts reviews of client money arrangements for insurance intermediaries and other relevant businesses. Their approach includes detailed examination of regulatory requirements alongside practical implementation support. This helps companies strengthen their processes in line with current FCA expectations.

Key Highlights:

  • Strong regulatory knowledge
  • Local Aberdeen team
  • Comprehensive assurance services
  • Focus on client asset protection
  • Practical compliance support

Services:

  • Segregation arrangement reviews
  • Reconciliation process evaluations
  • Governance and controls assessment
  • Risk assessment procedures
  • Regulatory reporting assistance
  • Assurance engagements

Contact Information:

  • Website: kpmg.com
  • Phone: +44 (0)1224 591 000
  • Address: 1 Marischal Square, Broad Street, AB10 1DD, Aberdeen, UK
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kpmg-uk
  • Twitter: x.com/kpmguk

Deloitte

Deloitte provides audit and assurance services to organisations in regulated financial services sectors. The company delivers specialist Client Assets and Safeguarding work alongside financial statement audits. This includes CASS audits for companies handling client money and assets.

The team examines client money and assets handling, controls testing, governance arrangements and reconciliations. Deloitte supports compliance with FCA CASS rules including CASS 5 for insurance and intermediary activities. Their approach uses industry knowledge and practical recommendations to strengthen safeguarding and address risks. The Aberdeen office helps local companies manage regulatory requirements and operational resilience in this area.

Key Highlights:

  • Client assets focus
  • Specialist CAS expertise
  • Aberdeen local team
  • Integrated audit approach
  • Regulatory compliance support

Services:

  • Reconciliation assessments
  • Controls testing procedures
  • Governance framework reviews
  • Risk management evaluations
  • Breach remediation support
  • Safeguarding arrangement reviews
  • CASS assurance engagements

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.deloitte.com
  • Phone: +44 (0)1224 625888
  • Address: 8th Floor, The Silver Fin Building, 455 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6DB, United Kingdom
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/deloitteuk
  • Twitter: x.com/deloitteuk
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatdeloitte

AAB

AAB supports FCA-regulated companies with CASS compliance and client asset protection. The company brings practical experience from working with various organisations that handle client money under the Client Assets Sourcebook. Their team focuses on helping companies understand and meet regulatory expectations around segregation, controls and safeguarding.

AAB conducts detailed reviews of operations, procedures and documentation related to client money. The company advises on necessary changes and supports implementation where required. They also provide guidance on technology solutions to strengthen CASS processes. In addition, AAB assists companies in dealing with regulators when needed. This work helps organisations maintain robust arrangements for client asset protection.

Key Highlights:

  • Practical CASS experience
  • Client asset protection focus
  • Operations and controls review
  • Regulatory guidance support
  • Technology advisory input
  • Aberdeen based presence

Services:

  • Governance and controls reviews
  • Operational procedure assessments
  • Technology solution guidance
  • Regulatory engagement support
  • Documentation evaluations
  • Change implementation advice
  • CASS compliance reviews

Contact Information:

  • Website: aab.uk
  • Phone: +44 (0) 1224 625111
  • Address: Kingshill View, Prime Four Business Park, Kingswells, Aberdeen, AB15 8PU
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aab-accountants
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/AABLLP
  • Twitter: x.com/AABGroup_
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/_aabgroup

Conclusion

Choosing the right CASS 5 audit partner in Aberdeen depends on factors such as the size of your business, your specific sector, the maturity of your existing processes, and the exact nature of your regulatory requirements. Some companies offer a more integrated approach that combines CASS work with broader assurance services, while others focus more narrowly on client money compliance and related controls.

This guide has provided a neutral overview of the main companies active in this area, outlining who they are and the type of support they typically provide. It is not intended as a ranking but as practical context to help you compare options.

The right partner delivers independent assurance and practical steps to reduce risks and support resilience. Ultimately, the best fit comes down to finding a team whose approach aligns with your operations and compliance needs. Take time to speak with a few companies directly to see which one feels right for your situation.