CASS 5 Audit Companies in Edinburgh: Guide to Providers

For firms handling client money in the insurance sector, meeting regulatory expectations under CASS 5 is an important part of maintaining trust and demonstrating effective governance. Regular audits and assurance reviews can help businesses assess whether their systems, controls and processes remain aligned with FCA requirements.

Edinburgh has long been recognised as one of the UK’s key financial centres, with a strong presence of insurers, brokers and professional services firms. As a result, organisations seeking CASS 5 audit support have access to a range of providers, from large international networks to specialist advisory practices with experience in regulatory compliance and assurance.

This guide highlights a selection of companies offering CASS 5 audit and related services in Edinburgh. Rather than ranking providers, the aim is to provide practical context on the firms operating in this space, the types of organisations they support, and the areas of expertise they bring to client money oversight and regulatory assurance.

Acumon

Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing CASS 5 audit services to firms and organisations across Edinburgh and the wider UK market.

The firm works with regulated businesses ranging from insurance intermediaries and brokers through to larger corporate groups operating within FCA-regulated sectors. CASS 5 audit engagements are designed to assess compliance with client money rules, enhance governance arrangements and provide assurance over regulatory obligations.

Acumon provides CASS 5 audit support across a range of regulatory and reporting requirements, including client money reviews, control testing, compliance assessments and reporting under the FCA Client Assets Sourcebook (CASS). Services are delivered using a structured methodology tailored to each organisation’s operating model, risk profile and regulatory environment.

Acumon holds a Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence, enabling the firm to support organisations subject to enhanced regulatory oversight in the United Kingdom. Alongside its UK statutory audit registration, the firm also maintains audit licences in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Jersey and Isle of Man, supporting organisations with international structures and cross-border reporting requirements.

Firms handling client money frequently operate within evolving regulatory frameworks that require robust controls, effective governance and ongoing oversight. Acumon works with compliance teams, directors and senior management to support regulatory reporting, strengthen control environments and maintain alignment with FCA expectations.

CASS 5 Audit Capabilities

Acumon provides CASS 5 audit services across a range of regulated entities and compliance environments.

These include:

• insurance intermediaries and brokers
• FCA-regulated firms handling client money
• organisations subject to CASS 5 requirements
• multi-entity and group structures
• businesses with cross-border operations
• regulated entities with complex control frameworks

Engagements are managed by experienced professionals who remain actively involved throughout the review and reporting process.

Regulatory Licences and Registrations

Acumon maintains a range of regulatory registrations and audit authorisations supporting organisations operating across UK and international markets.

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 support organisations operating across regulated sectors, international structures and multi-jurisdictional environments.

Core Services

Alongside CASS 5 audit engagements, Acumon provides a broader range of services supporting governance, reporting and regulatory compliance.

These include:

• regulatory compliance assessments
• statutory external audit
• CASS 5 audits and client money reviews
• group and subsidiary audits
• Public Interest Entity (PIE) audits
• charity and not-for-profit audit
• internal audit and governance reviews
• risk management and compliance support

CASS 5 work is often undertaken alongside discussions regarding client money arrangements, regulatory obligations, governance frameworks and internal control effectiveness.

As regulated businesses grow, enter new markets or develop more complex operating structures, compliance requirements and oversight expectations often become increasingly demanding.

Acumon works with businesses that are:

• managing client money obligations
• preparing for FCA oversight
• operating within corporate group structures
• strengthening governance and control procedures
• expanding regulated activities

Early involvement can help organisations strengthen compliance frameworks, improve governance arrangements and support ongoing regulatory obligations.

Contact Information:

• Website: acumon.com
• Email: mail@acumon.com
• Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
• Phone: 020 8567 3451

Saffery

Saffery operates across a range of financial services areas, including support for firms subject to FCA regulation and client money requirements. In the context of CASS 5 audits, they provide assurance and review services designed to assess how client money arrangements, internal controls and governance frameworks function in practice. Their work covers both reasonable and limited assurance engagements, alongside reviews of client money systems and controls.

Financial services businesses often face changing regulatory expectations, particularly where client assets and oversight are involved. Through their wider audit and advisory offering, Saffery support organisations in navigating compliance obligations while considering operational processes, reporting requirements and risk management across regulated environments.

Key Highlights:

• Experience supporting FCA-regulated financial services firms
• CASS assurance engagements including reasonable and limited assurance
• Client money systems and controls reviews
• AAF 01/20 reporting capabilities
• Member of an international accounting network
• Audit and advisory services across regulated sectors

Services:

• CASS audits and assurance
• Client money reviews
• Internal controls reporting
• Statutory audit
• Transaction services
• FCA interim profits reviews
• Accounting advisory
• Tax advisory

Contact Information:

• Website: www.saffery.com
• Email: info@saffery.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/saffery
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/saffery_uk
• Address: Level 4, 9 Haymarket Square, Edinburgh EH3 8RY
• Phone: +44 (0)131 221 2777

Deloitte

Deloitte provides CASS risk advisory services to financial institutions dealing with client assets and client money obligations. Their work in this area focuses on helping firms understand the practical application of FCA rules, assess control environments and identify areas where governance arrangements may require attention. CASS 5 audits and related reviews form part of a broader risk and regulatory framework.

As regulatory scrutiny continues to evolve, organisations often need support that extends beyond annual assurance requirements. Deloitte’s CASS offering includes oversight support, remediation exercises and assistance during regulatory reviews, reflecting the wider role that governance and controls play within financial services firms operating in markets such as Edinburgh.

Key Highlights:

• Dedicated CASS risk advisory capability
• Experience with FCA regulatory reviews
• Support for control environment assessments
• Risk and compliance advisory services
• CASS oversight mentoring
• Remediation and governance support

Services:

• CASS advisory
• Control environment assessments
• Regulatory review support
• Audit remediation
• Risk management reviews
• CASS training
• Compliance advisory
• Governance assessments

Contact Information:

• Website: www.deloitte.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/deloitteuk
• Twitter: x.com/deloitteuk
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte
• Address: 9 Haymarket Square, Edinburgh, EH3 8RY, United Kingdom
• Phone: +44 (0)131 221 0002

Johnston Carmichael

Johnston Carmichael have developed dedicated CASS and safeguarding capabilities for regulated financial services firms facing client asset obligations. Their approach to CASS 5 audits reflects the reality that compliance requirements can vary depending on a firm’s business model, governance structure and operational processes. This is particularly relevant for insurance intermediaries and other organisations subject to client money rules.

Technology and controls are increasingly important in demonstrating compliance with FCA expectations. By combining CASS audit work with IT assurance and governance reviews, they assess how systems operate alongside policies and procedures. Management recommendations issued during engagements can also support ongoing improvements in controls and compliance frameworks.

Key Highlights:

• Dedicated CASS audit team
• Experience across regulated financial services sectors
• IT audit capabilities supporting CASS reviews
• Focus on governance and control frameworks
• Support for safeguarding requirements
• Ongoing monitoring of regulatory developments

Services:

• CASS 5 audits
• Safeguarding audits
• IT controls reviews
• Governance assessments
• Regulatory assurance
• Management reporting
• Risk assessments
• Audit and assurance

Contact Information:

• Website: johnstoncarmichael.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/JohnstonCarmichael
• Twitter: x.com/JC_Accountants
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/johnston-carmichael-chartered-accountants-and-business-advisers
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/johnston_carmichael
• Address: 7-11 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE
• Phone: 0131 220 2203

Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars support firms operating under client asset and safeguarding regulations, including businesses subject to CASS 5 requirements. Their work covers governance, oversight and internal control reviews designed to help organisations demonstrate compliance with FCA expectations relating to client money protection.

Client asset regulation has received increased attention over recent years, particularly following changes in the wider regulatory landscape. Their CASS and safeguarding teams work across multiple financial services sectors and include specialist input on systems, reconciliations and operational controls where technology plays a role in maintaining compliance.

Key Highlights:

• CASS and safeguarding capabilities
• Experience across financial services sectors
• IT specialists supporting assurance work
• Focus on governance and oversight
• Support with control gap identification
• Regulatory assurance methodologies

Services:

• CASS assurance
• Safeguarding reviews
• Controls testing
• Risk assessments
• Compliance reviews
• IT assurance
• Regulatory support
• Audit services

Contact Information:

• Website: www.forvismazars.com
• Twitter: x.com/ForvisMazarsUK
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/forvis-mazars-in-the-uk
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/forvismazarsuk
• Address: Capital Square, 58 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BP, United Kingdom
• Phone: +44 13 13 13 79 00

RSM

RSM advises financial services firms on client money and asset protection requirements under FCA regulations. Their work includes assurance reviews, forensic analysis and assessments of CASS arrangements to help organisations understand whether controls and reporting processes remain aligned with regulatory expectations. CASS 5 audits form part of these broader compliance activities for firms handling insurance client money.

Regulated businesses often need to demonstrate that governance arrangements remain effective as operational models evolve. RSM’s approach includes reviewing management information, resolution packs and internal reporting processes, helping firms strengthen oversight of client money and asset protection responsibilities.

Key Highlights:

• Financial services risk and regulation team
• Experience in CASS compliance reviews
• Support for CMAR-related processes
• Operational controls assessments
• Internal reporting reviews
• Resolution pack reviews

Services:

• CASS audits
• Assurance reviews
• Forensic analysis
• Compliance assessments
• Controls reviews
• Management information reviews
• Resolution pack reviews
• Risk advisory

Contact Information:

• Website: www.rsmuk.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rsm-uk
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rsm.uk
• Address: 3rd Floor, 2 Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL
• Phone: +44 (0)131 659 8300

Prydis

Prydis provides CASS audit and assurance services for FCA-regulated firms that hold or control client money and custody assets. Their offering covers CASS 5, CASS 6 and CASS 7 requirements, with support available to businesses operating across different parts of the UK, including Edinburgh. Audit engagements are designed to assess whether systems and controls meet applicable regulatory standards.

Client money protection remains a key area of FCA focus, particularly for insurance firms and financial intermediaries. Prydis conducts both reasonable and limited assurance engagements and provides feedback on control environments, helping organisations address potential gaps and adapt to regulatory developments over time.

Key Highlights:

• CASS 5, 6 and 7 audit capabilities
• Support for FCA-regulated firms
• Reasonable and limited assurance engagements
• Coverage across multiple financial sectors
• Focus on internal controls and compliance
• Presence in Edinburgh

Services:

• CASS audits
• Assurance reporting
• Pre-audit assessments
• Controls reviews
• Compliance support
• Regulatory reporting
• Gap analysis
• Audit and assurance

Contact Information:

• Website: prydis.com
• Email: mail@prydis.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/prydis
• Address: 14-18 Hill St, Edinburgh, EH2 3JZ
• Phone: 01392 432431

Conclusion

Selecting a CASS 5 audit provider is often influenced by more than regulatory requirements alone. Firms handling insurance client money may consider factors such as sector experience, understanding of FCA expectations, approach to governance, and the ability to assess controls within day-to-day operations.

Edinburgh’s financial services market includes a mix of national firms and specialist providers supporting organisations with CASS compliance, assurance and risk management. The purpose of this guide is not to rank providers, but to offer practical context on the companies operating in this area and the services they provide.

As regulatory expectations continue to develop, effective client money oversight remains closely linked to wider governance and risk frameworks. Reviewing a provider’s experience with CASS 5 audits, control assessments and compliance processes can help organisations identify support that aligns with their operational structure and regulatory obligations.