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CASS 7 Audit Companies in Aberdeen: Practical Overview and Selection Guide

This practical guide gives you a clear overview of CASS 7 audit companies operating in Aberdeen and across the UK. Rather than ranking them, we present a balanced look at the different companies active in this specialised area of regulatory auditing.

These companies range from larger organisations with broad service capabilities to more focused specialists who concentrate primarily on client money and custody rules. Each brings its own approach to helping investment and financial services companies meet FCA requirements for safe handling and protection of client money.

Whether you need support with client money calculations, reconciliations, or full CASS 7 compliance, understanding who these companies are and what they focus on will help you make an informed choice that fits your specific needs.

Acumon

Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing CASS audit services to regulated financial services companies. The firm supports organisations that hold or control client money across the UK, including companies based in Aberdeen and other regions. CASS audits are delivered with a clear focus on compliance with the FCA Client Assets Sourcebook, particularly CASS 7 client money rules.

Acumon conducts comprehensive audits covering client money segregation, daily calculations, reconciliations, and internal controls. The firm works with investment companies, asset managers, and other regulated entities to deliver independent assurance on client money handling processes. Engagements are carried out using a structured, risk-based approach designed to verify compliance while minimising operational disruption.

The company maintains strong expertise in the practical application of CASS 7 requirements. This includes thorough verification of client money bank accounts, acknowledgment letters, and resolution pack arrangements. Acumon’s team ensures that all key areas of client money protection receive detailed attention during the audit.

As a registered audit firm, Acumon brings consistency and regulatory understanding to each engagement. The firm combines technical knowledge of the FCA Handbook with practical experience of how different business models interact with client money rules. This balanced perspective helps companies meet their obligations effectively.

Acumon supports organisations at various stages of regulatory maturity. The firm works with companies establishing new client money processes as well as those seeking to strengthen existing frameworks ahead of regulatory scrutiny.

CASS Audit Capabilities:

Acumon provides CASS 7 audit services across different types of regulated companies.

These include:

  • Companies holding client money under CASS 7
  • Investment firms subject to client asset protection rules
  • UK-based financial services organisations
  • Businesses requiring annual CASS assurance
  • Companies with complex client money arrangements

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:

KPMG

KPMG works with regulated companies on compliance with the Client Assets Sourcebook. The company focuses on client money segregation and safe custody arrangements for financial services organisations. Their team conducts thematic reviews and deep dive assessments of controls related to client assets.

The company supports CASS change projects and helps strengthen governance around client money protection. KPMG also delivers insights on regulatory developments and participates in industry forums discussing practical application of client money rules. With presence across the UK including Aberdeen the company provides support for daily reconciliations and reporting requirements. Their engagements often address internal controls and preparation for expanded safeguarding obligations under evolving CASS rules.

Key Highlights

  • Thematic control reviews
  • CASS change project support
  • Regulatory development insights
  • Industry forum participation
  • Governance framework input

Services

  • End-to-end control assessments
  • CASS resolution pack reviews
  • Client money monitoring support
  • Training programme design
  • Transformation programme assistance
  • SMCR accountability advice
  • Technology risk evaluations

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 assists financial institutions with client asset protection under CASS regulations. The company combines regulatory insight with practical experience to support segregation of client assets and proper safeguarding arrangements. Their work covers a range of companies from traditional players to newer market entrants.

The company develops tailored approaches for CASS compliance including reviews of operating models and internal controls. Deloitte offers assurance services aligned with relevant standards for client money and custody rules. The team helps companies respond to regulatory changes and prepare for expanded requirements in areas such as payments and digital assets. Their focus remains on ensuring client assets can be returned without undue delay in the event of firm failure.

Key Highlights

  • Tailored project scoping
  • Regulatory change support
  • Operating model reviews
  • Internal controls gap analysis
  • Assurance engagement delivery

Services

  • FRC CASS assurance audits
  • ISAE 3000 control assurance
  • Safeguarding framework reviews
  • Regulatory visit preparation
  • Business consolidation support
  • Reconciliation process assessments
  • Governance enhancement advice

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 regulated companies with client asset protection under CASS rules. The company offers detailed reviews of operations, procedures and documentation related to client money handling and custody arrangements. Their team draws on extensive experience across different types of financial services companies in the UK and beyond.

The company advises on necessary changes to strengthen compliance and helps with regulator engagement when required. AAB also provides guidance on technology solutions that support robust record keeping and reconciliation processes. Their approach emphasises practical mapping of CASS requirements to company procedures while maintaining focus on senior manager responsibilities. With an office in Aberdeen the company delivers locally accessible support for companies navigating client money rules and safeguarding obligations. This helps ensure client assets can be identified and returned promptly in line with regulatory expectations.

Key Highlights

  • Detailed operational reviews
  • Regulator engagement support
  • Technology solution guidance
  • Procedure mapping expertise
  • Ongoing compliance advice

Services

  • Client money segregation assessments
  • Reconciliation process reviews
  • Custody rules compliance support
  • Record keeping verification
  • Safeguarding arrangement advice
  • CASS audit preparation
  • Control framework evaluations

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

Johnston Carmichael

Johnston Carmichael provides CASS audit services to financial services companies. The company maintains a dedicated team with specialist knowledge of client money and custody rules. Their approach emphasises understanding each company’s specific business model and operational processes.

The company conducts audits with attention to governance, controls and technology systems that support CASS compliance. Johnston Carmichael offers practical recommendations through management letters to strengthen procedures and record keeping. The team stays current with FCA developments and applies this knowledge to audit work including safeguarding requirements for payment companies. Their integrated IT audit capability helps identify risks in systems supporting client asset protection.

Key Highlights

  • Dedicated CASS audit team
  • Real-world operational experience
  • Integrated IT audit support
  • Practical recommendation focus
  • Continuous regulatory monitoring

Services

  • Reasonable assurance audits
  • Limited assurance engagements
  • Safeguarding audit services
  • Control framework assessments
  • Reconciliation testing
  • Governance review support
  • Management letter insights

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 supports companies with the evolving CASS regime including client money safeguarding. The company helps regulated businesses understand expanding requirements for payments, e-money and digital assets. Their team focuses on governance, systems and controls needed for effective client asset protection.

The company provides insights on practical implementation of new rules and strengthening of assurance processes. Grant Thornton assists with preparation for enhanced reconciliation and reporting obligations under CASS 15 and beyond. The firm emphasises building robust frameworks that align with business models while meeting regulatory standards. Their work includes support for companies adapting to broader application of custody and client money rules across different sectors.

Key Highlights

  • Evolving regime expertise
  • Safeguarding implementation support
  • Governance strengthening focus
  • Digital asset readiness advice
  • Assurance quality emphasis

Services

  • CASS compliance reviews
  • Safeguarding control assessments
  • Reconciliation framework support
  • Regulatory change analysis
  • Resolution pack preparation
  • Risk and control evaluations
  • Industry insight sharing

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

Conclusion

Choosing the right partner for your CASS 7 audit in Aberdeen or across the UK depends on several factors. These include the size and complexity of your business, your specific sector, the maturity of your existing processes, and the exact nature of your regulatory requirements.

Some companies take a broader integrated approach while others focus more narrowly on client money and custody rules. Each brings different strengths in how they handle reconciliations, segregation, controls and assurance engagements.

This guide offers a neutral overview rather than any form of ranking. It aims to give you clear context about the companies active in this space and what they emphasise in their CASS 7 work.

The right partner delivers independent assurance and practical steps to reduce risks and support resilience. With this foundation, you can make a more informed decision that aligns with your company’s needs and priorities.