CASS 5 Audit Companies in Aberdeen: Practical Overview and Selection Guide
AC
Acumon Chartered Accountants·7 min read
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.
Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
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.
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.
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
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.
AC
Written by the Acumon team
Acumon is an ICAEW-registered firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors
based in London, with offices in Pitstone, Aylesbury and Bournemouth. Need advice on
anything covered here? Talk to us.
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