CASS 5 Audit Firms in Manchester: Companies Guide

Insurance intermediaries operating under the FCA’s Client Assets Sourcebook (CASS) face increasingly complex regulatory expectations. For firms subject to CASS 5 requirements, independent audits play an important role in demonstrating compliance, strengthening oversight and maintaining confidence in client money arrangements.

Manchester is home to a broad mix of audit and advisory firms, ranging from international networks to specialist practices with expertise in financial services regulation. While some providers focus on external audit and assurance, others offer wider support across governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.

This guide highlights a selection of companies providing CASS 5 audit services in Manchester. Rather than ranking providers, the aim is to offer practical context, outlining who these firms are, the types of organisations they typically support, and the areas where they are most active. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, many firms seek advisers whose expertise extends beyond compliance alone and into broader governance and risk oversight.

Acumon

Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing CASS 5 audit services to firms and organisations across Manchester 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 environments. CASS 5 audit engagements are designed to support compliance with client money rules, strengthen internal controls 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 risk-based approach tailored to the scale, complexity and operating environment of each regulated entity.

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.

Regulated firms managing client money often face evolving compliance requirements involving governance arrangements, control frameworks and regulatory oversight. Acumon works with finance teams, compliance functions and senior management to support reporting accuracy, effective controls and ongoing compliance with FCA expectations.

CASS 5 Audit Capabilities

Acumon supports CASS 5 audit engagements for regulated firms operating within a variety of compliance and reporting 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 engagements are delivered by senior professionals who maintain oversight throughout the assessment and reporting process.

Regulatory Licences and Registrations

Acumon maintains regulatory registrations and audit authorisations that support 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 enable the firm to support regulated businesses with domestic operations as well as international group structures.

Core Services

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

These include:

• statutory external audit
• CASS 5 audits and client money reviews
• regulatory compliance assessments
• 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 frequently undertaken alongside reviews of governance arrangements, regulatory reporting obligations and the effectiveness of internal control environments.

As regulated organisations evolve, enter new markets or develop more complex operating models, compliance expectations and oversight requirements often become more extensive.

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 enhance control frameworks, improve regulatory readiness and support ongoing compliance with FCA requirements.

Contact Information:

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

Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars is an international audit, tax and advisory firm with a presence in Manchester and experience across a range of regulated sectors, including financial services and insurance. Their CASS and safeguarding practice supports firms that are subject to FCA client asset rules, covering both investment and insurance-related requirements. Given the increasing regulatory focus on governance and oversight, they provide assurance work for organisations that need to demonstrate compliance with client money regulations.

CASS 5 audits often involve more than testing reconciliations and records. Firms may need support in understanding how systems, controls and day-to-day processes fit within the FCA framework. Their approach combines assurance with reviews of risk areas, control environments and IT systems used to manage client money. This can be particularly relevant for insurance intermediaries operating in changing regulatory environments or managing complex operational structures.

Key Highlights:

• Presence in Manchester and across the UK
• Experience supporting financial services and insurance firms
• CASS and safeguarding subject matter specialists
• Knowledge of FCA client asset protection rules
• Risk and control reviews linked to compliance requirements
• IT specialists involved in assurance engagements

Services:

• CASS 5 audit and assurance
• Safeguarding reviews
• Risk and control assessments
• Governance and compliance reviews
• IT assurance
• Regulatory remediation support
• Audit and assurance 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: One St Peters Square, Manchester, M2 3DE, United Kingdom
• Phone: +44(0) 161 238 9200

RSM UK

RSM UK provides audit, consulting and risk advisory services to financial services firms, including organisations with obligations under the FCA’s Client Assets Sourcebook. Their work in this area covers client money and asset protection, with support extending to annual CASS audits, assurance reviews and operational controls. For firms operating under CASS 5, maintaining accurate arrangements around client money is often a key regulatory priority.

Financial services businesses can face challenges ranging from reporting requirements to the design of effective control frameworks. Their financial services risk and regulation team assists firms in assessing compliance, reviewing internal reporting and preparing documentation required under FCA rules. Engagements may be delivered as standalone reviews or as part of wider risk and governance programmes.

Key Highlights:

• Manchester presence within a national network
• Dedicated financial services risk and regulation team
• Experience with FCA client asset requirements
• Support for CASS compliance and reporting
• Risk assurance capabilities
• Experience across regulated financial sectors

Services:

• CASS 5 audits
• CASS assurance reviews
• Client money control reviews
• CMAR support
• Risk assurance
• Regulatory compliance assessments
• Internal reporting reviews

Contact Information:

• Website: www.rsmuk.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rsm-uk
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rsm.uk
• Address: Landmark, St Peter’s Square, 1 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 4PB
• Phone: +44 (0)161 830 4000

PKF Littlejohn

PKF Littlejohn is an accounting and advisory firm with experience in financial services sectors such as insurance intermediaries, payment services and wealth management. Their published insights show a continued focus on FCA expectations around CASS 5, particularly in areas such as client money handling, third-party arrangements and governance over insurance broker accounts.

Regulatory developments can create practical questions for insurance intermediaries, especially where business models evolve or client money structures change. Their work in this space reflects an understanding of how CASS requirements apply in practice, including audit preparation and interpretation of FCA guidance. Firms seeking assurance over client money arrangements may look for support that connects regulatory rules with operational realities. 

Key Highlights:

• Presence in Manchester and London
• Experience with insurance intermediaries
• Focus on FCA CASS developments
• Knowledge of client money governance
• Experience across regulated financial sectors
• International network affiliation

Services:

• CASS 5 audits
• Regulatory advisory
• Client money reviews
• Governance assessments
• Internal controls reviews
• Insurance sector advisory
• Risk and compliance support

Contact Information:

• Website: www.pkf-l.com
• Email: info@pkf-l.com
• Twitter: x.com/PKF_Littlejohn
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/littlejohn
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pkf.littlejohn
• Address: 11 York Street, Manchester, M2 2AW
• Phone: 0161 552 4220

Menzies LLP

Menzies LLP provides audit and assurance services to businesses operating in regulated sectors, including financial services. Their published guidance on CASS 5 highlights the practical aspects of client money reconciliations for mortgage and general insurance firms, reflecting an understanding of the operational requirements set out by the FCA. For insurance intermediaries, maintaining accurate records and safeguarding client money remains a central part of regulatory compliance.

Client money calculations, reconciliations and documentation are often areas of focus during a CASS 5 audit. Their experience in audit and assurance allows firms to review whether processes align with regulatory expectations and whether client money resources are adequately supported. This can be particularly relevant for businesses managing statutory or non-statutory trust arrangements.

Key Highlights:

• Experience in financial services and regulated sectors
• Knowledge of CASS 5 client money requirements
• Audit and assurance capabilities
• Understanding of client money reconciliations
• Support for FCA-regulated firms
• UK office network including the South East

Services:

• CASS 5 audits
• Client money reconciliation reviews
• Audit and assurance
• Regulatory compliance assessments
• Financial reporting support
• Risk reviews
• Statutory audit

Contact Information:

• Website: www.menzies.co.uk
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/menzies-llp
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/menzies_llp
• Address: One Express, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester M4 5DL
• Phone: +44 (0)333 091 0411

Saffery

Saffery operates across the UK as an accountancy and advisory firm with experience in regulated sectors, including financial services. Their offering for financial services firms includes CASS assurance, client money systems reviews and internal controls reporting, supporting organisations that need to meet FCA requirements around the protection of client assets. For insurance intermediaries subject to CASS 5, these areas are often closely linked to governance and regulatory oversight.

Managing client money arrangements requires more than periodic audit activity, particularly where firms handle changing business models or evolving regulatory expectations. Their work in this space covers both reasonable and limited assurance engagements, alongside reviews of systems and controls used to manage client money. This can help firms assess whether their processes remain aligned with regulatory requirements and operational needs.

Key Highlights:

• Experience in financial services and regulated sectors
• Provides CASS assurance services
• Supports firms with client money systems reviews
• Works with organisations subject to FCA requirements
• Offers internal controls reporting
• Member of an international accounting network

Services:

• CASS 5 assurance engagements
• Client money systems reviews
• Internal controls reporting (AAF 01/20)
• Statutory audit
• FCA interim profits reviews
• Accounting and advisory services
• Transaction services

Contact Information:

• Website: www.saffery.com
• Email: info@saffery.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/saffery
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/saffery_uk
• Address: Trinity Court, 16 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6HY
• Phone: +44 (0)161 200 8383

Conclusion

Choosing a CASS 5 audit provider in Manchester often depends on several factors, including experience with insurance intermediaries, understanding of FCA requirements, and familiarity with client money arrangements. Firms may also consider the breadth of services available, particularly where CASS compliance forms part of wider governance, risk and regulatory frameworks.

The companies featured in this guide represent different approaches to CASS 5 audits and related assurance services. Some operate as large multidisciplinary firms with dedicated financial services teams, while others focus on specific areas of audit, compliance or regulatory support. The suitability of a provider will often depend on the nature of a firm’s activities, the complexity of its control environment and its ongoing compliance needs.

The purpose of this guide is not to rank providers, but to offer practical context on the CASS 5 audit landscape in Manchester. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, many firms look for advisers who can support not only annual audit requirements, but also broader objectives around governance, oversight and the protection of client money.