Acumon
Blog · · manager

CASS 5 Audit Companies in Glasgow: A Practical Guide to Providers

For firms operating under the FCA’s CASS 5 rules, selecting the right audit and assurance provider is about more than meeting regulatory requirements. Effective oversight of client money arrangements can help strengthen governance, improve operational resilience and provide greater confidence to management and regulators alike.

Glasgow is home to a diverse professional services market, ranging from established accountancy practices to specialist regulatory advisors supporting businesses across financial services. Different firms bring different strengths, whether in client money audits, compliance frameworks, risk management or broader assurance services.

This guide highlights a selection of companies providing CASS 5 audit and related assurance services in Glasgow. Rather than ranking providers, the aim is to offer practical context on the firms operating in the market, the types of organisations they support, and the areas where their expertise may be most relevant.

Acumon

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

The firm supports regulated businesses ranging from insurance intermediaries and brokers through to larger organisations operating within FCA-regulated environments. CASS 5 audit engagements are designed to provide assurance over client money arrangements, support regulatory compliance and strengthen internal governance frameworks.

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

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 operating across international structures and reporting environments.

Businesses handling client money are often required to maintain effective control environments, governance procedures and reporting processes to satisfy FCA expectations. Acumon works with compliance teams, boards and management to support regulatory oversight, strengthen internal controls and maintain compliance with applicable requirements.

CASS 5 Audit Capabilities

Acumon supports CASS 5 audit engagements across a broad range of regulated entities and operational 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

CASS 5 reviews are delivered by experienced professionals with direct involvement throughout the engagement and reporting process.

Regulatory Licences and Registrations

The firm maintains a range of regulatory registrations and audit authorisations supporting organisations operating across domestic 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 enable the firm to support regulated businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions and international group structures.

Core Services

In addition to CASS 5 audit services, Acumon provides a broader range of services supporting governance, reporting and regulatory compliance.

These include:

  • CASS 5 audits and client money reviews
  • regulatory compliance assessments
  • statutory external audit
  • 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 engagements are often delivered alongside discussions concerning client money controls, regulatory reporting obligations and governance arrangements.

As regulated firms evolve, expand operations or introduce more complex structures, compliance requirements and oversight expectations can 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 engagement can help organisations improve control environments, support regulatory readiness and maintain effective compliance processes.

Contact Information:

Deloitte

Deloitte provides CASS-related services through its Risk Advisory practice, supporting financial institutions with the interpretation and application of FCA client asset rules. Their work covers a range of areas linked to CASS oversight, including control assessments, regulatory reviews and support for firms managing client money obligations under the FCA framework. CASS 5 compliance forms part of a wider focus on governance, risk and regulatory requirements within financial services.

CASS engagements are approached collaboratively, with an emphasis on identifying control weaknesses and addressing issues as they arise during reviews. Alongside audit-related work, they offer support around regulatory change, remediation activities and oversight responsibilities, reflecting the practical challenges firms face when maintaining compliant client money arrangements.

Key Highlights:

  • Experience supporting financial institutions with CASS compliance
  • CASS advisory delivered through Risk Advisory services
  • Focus on governance and control environments
  • Support for FCA reviews and regulatory changes
  • Experience with audit remediation and oversight functions
  • Coverage of risk and compliance matters linked to client assets

Services:

  • CASS assessments and reviews
  • CASS oversight support
  • FCA regulatory review support
  • Audit findings remediation
  • Risk and control management
  • Regulatory change advisory
  • CASS training and guidance

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.deloitte.com
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/deloitteuk
  • Twitter: x.com/deloitteuk
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte
  • Address: 110 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3BX, United Kingdom
  • Phone: +44 (0)141 204 2800

Johnston Carmichael

Johnston Carmichael works with regulated firms on CASS and safeguarding requirements, with a dedicated team focused on client asset compliance. Their approach recognises that CASS 5 obligations can vary depending on business models, operational processes and governance structures. This is particularly relevant for insurance intermediaries and other firms that handle client money under FCA rules.

An area that stands out in their offering is the connection between CASS audits and technology controls. Their audit teams collaborate with IT specialists to assess systems, applications and control frameworks that support ongoing compliance. In addition to annual audits, they provide insights into emerging regulatory developments, including changes affecting safeguarding requirements.

Key Highlights:

  • Dedicated CASS and safeguarding audit team
  • Experience across regulated financial services firms
  • Integration of IT audit into CASS reviews
  • Focus on governance and operational controls
  • Support with regulatory developments
  • Experience with assurance engagements and management reporting

Services:

  • CASS audits
  • Safeguarding audits
  • IT control reviews
  • Governance assessments
  • Regulatory compliance support
  • Management recommendations
  • Assurance reporting

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: 227 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2ND
  • Phone: 0141 222 5800

RSM

RSM supports financial services firms with client money and asset compliance through its financial services risk and regulation practice. Their work covers areas linked to CASS requirements, including assurance reviews, annual CASS audits and assessments of operational controls designed to protect client money. Firms operating under CASS 5 often face ongoing reporting and governance obligations, and these services are positioned around helping businesses maintain compliant arrangements.

Beyond audit activity, attention is given to how client money processes operate in practice. This includes reviewing reporting frameworks, resolution packs and control environments to identify gaps or areas that may require improvement. Engagements can range from standalone projects to broader programmes of work depending on a firm’s regulatory needs.

Key Highlights:

  • Focus on client money and asset regulations
  • Experience supporting regulated financial services firms
  • Coverage of assurance and compliance reviews
  • Support for operational control assessments
  • Experience with FCA reporting requirements
  • Work spanning risk and regulatory matters

Services:

  • Annual CASS audits
  • Compliance reviews
  • Forensic analysis
  • Operational process assessments
  • Internal reporting reviews
  • Resolution pack reviews
  • Risk and regulatory advisory

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.rsmuk.com
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rsm-uk
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/rsm.uk
  • Address: 4th Floor, G1, 5 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DY
  • Phone: +44 (0)141 285 3900

Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars provides CASS and safeguarding support to firms operating across financial services, including insurance, banking and payment services. Their work reflects the increased regulatory attention on client asset protection and the need for firms to maintain strong governance and oversight arrangements. CASS 5 requirements are often closely linked to wider control frameworks, particularly for businesses handling client money.

A notable aspect of their approach is the involvement of specialists from different areas, including IT and risk. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, assessments increasingly consider how systems, reconciliations and data flows contribute to ongoing compliance. In addition to annual assurance work, support extends to identifying control gaps and remediation activities.

Key Highlights:

  • Experience across multiple financial services sectors
  • Focus on governance and client asset protection
  • Support covering CASS and safeguarding requirements
  • Access to IT and risk specialists
  • Experience with regulatory interpretation
  • Presence in Glasgow and across the UK

Services:

  • CASS assurance engagements
  • Safeguarding reviews
  • Risk and control assessments
  • IT systems reviews
  • Governance evaluations
  • Compliance gap analysis
  • Remediation support

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: 100 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DN, United Kingdom
  • Phone: +44 141 227 2400

Conclusion

Choosing a CASS 5 audit provider in Glasgow involves more than meeting a regulatory requirement. Firms handling client money need assurance that controls are working effectively, governance arrangements remain fit for purpose, and compliance processes can stand up to regulatory scrutiny. As FCA expectations continue to evolve, many organisations are taking a closer look at how their systems, oversight and reporting frameworks operate in practice.

The companies featured in this guide reflect the variety of support available in the market, from specialist CASS audit teams and risk advisors to technology providers focused on reconciliation and compliance. The right choice will often depend on a firm’s business model, the complexity of its client money arrangements, and the level of ongoing support required. Looking beyond the audit itself and considering broader governance and control capabilities can help firms build a more resilient approach to CASS compliance over time.