Acumon
Blog · · manager

CASS 7 Audit Companies in Birmingham: Firms and Services Guide

Choosing a CASS 7 audit provider in Birmingham is more than a routine compliance step. For FCA-regulated firms that hold client money, the right auditor can help strengthen controls, improve record keeping, and give directors greater confidence in how client assets are protected.

Birmingham is served by a mix of established accountancy firms, audit specialists, and wider assurance providers. Some focus mainly on statutory audit and regulatory reporting, while others bring broader experience in risk, governance, tax, and advisory work for financial services businesses.

This guide highlights a selection of CASS 7 audit companies operating in or serving Birmingham. Rather than ranking providers, the aim is to give practical context – outlining who these firms are, the types of organisations they typically support, and the areas where they are most active.

Acumon

Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing CASS 7 audit services to FCA-regulated investment firms.

The firm works with organisations ranging from growing owner-managed businesses and charities through to larger corporate groups and regulated entities. CASS audit engagements are delivered in accordance with relevant FCA Client Assets Sourcebook requirements and supported by a structured risk-based audit methodology.

Acumon holds relevant regulatory authorisations as an ICAEW-registered audit firm with FRC oversight, enabling it to undertake CASS audits for firms holding client assets. These audits are subject to additional regulatory supervision and quality requirements.

Acumon provides services in Birmingham and across the UK. In addition to its UK audit registration, Acumon also holds audit licences in several international financial centres, including the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Jersey, and Isle of Man.

CASS 7 audits focus on firms holding custody assets such as stocks, bonds, and other investments on behalf of clients. Coordinating this work requires familiarity with FCA rules on segregation, reconciliations, record-keeping, and client asset protection.

Acumon works with finance teams and boards to support CASS audit requirements while also helping organisations strengthen client asset protection processes, governance arrangements, and internal controls.

CASS 7 Audit Capabilities:

Acumon provides CASS 7 audit services across a wide range of organisational structures and sectors.

These include:

  • FCA-regulated investment firms
  • Firms holding client custody assets
  • Organisations subject to CASS 7 requirements within broader group structures
  • Businesses requiring specialist regulatory compliance audits

Audit engagements are typically led by senior audit professionals with direct involvement throughout the engagement.

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:

Menzies

Menzies is an accountancy and business advisory firm that works across audit, assurance, tax, outsourced business services, advisory, valuations and several sector-focused areas. For CASS 7 work, Menzies has written specifically about client money reconciliations for designated investment firms, including the internal and external reconciliation requirements under the FCA Client Assets Sourcebook.

Menzies places clear focus on how client money calculations should be handled, documented and reviewed. Their CASS 7 services covers areas such as the normal and alternative approaches to client money reconciliations, client money requirement calculations, client money resource checks, discrepancies, record retention and the role of the CASS Compliance Officer. The firm also provides CASS assurance and statutory audit services, with financial services listed among its sector areas.

Key Highlights:

  • Works with CASS 7 requirements for designated investment firms
  • Covers internal client money reconciliations and external client money reconciliations
  • Explains client money requirement and client money resource calculations
  • Provides CASS assurance alongside statutory audit services
  • Has wider service areas across audit, tax, advisory and outsourced business support
  • Part of HLB, a worldwide network of accounting firms and business consultants

Services:

  • CASS assurance
  • Statutory audit
  • Audit and assurance
  • Accounts
  • Tax services
  • Outsourced business services
  • Strategic advisory services

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.menzies.co.uk
  • E-mail: mayres@menzies.co.uk
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/menzies-llp
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/menzies_llp
  • Address: The Colmore Building 20 Colmore Circus Queensway Birmingham B4 6AT
  • Phone: +44 (0)333 091 0411

Millet Audit

Millet Audit is a firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors that provides audit, assurance and independent examination services. For Birmingham firms, Millet Audit offers CASS audit services aimed at FCA-regulated businesses that handle client money or client assets.

A clear part of Millet Audit’s approach is remote delivery. Birmingham firms can complete the audit process using secure digital systems, online communication and remote document sharing. Millet Audit reviews areas such as reconciliations, segregation procedures, accounting records, internal controls and compliance monitoring. The firm also works with clients on practical recommendations where controls or reporting processes need improvement.

Key Highlights:

  • Provides CASS audits for FCA-regulated firms serving Birmingham
  • Works with businesses in areas such as financial services, investment management and wealth management
  • Uses a fully remote audit model
  • Reviews client money handling, records, reconciliations and internal controls
  • Offers audit, assurance and independent examination services

Services:

  • CASS audits
  • Financial audits
  • Statutory audits
  • Assurance services
  • Independent examination
  • Client money procedure reviews
  • Reconciliation and segregation review

Contact Information:

  • Website: milletaudit.com
  • E-mail: info@milletaudit.com 
  • Address: Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street, London, E1 8FA 
  • Phone: +44 (0) 203 084 4550

Reflex Accounting

Reflex Accounting is an accountancy firm that provides audit, assurance and wider finance support for UK businesses. Their audit and assurance service covers external audits, statutory and voluntary audit compliance, risk-based audit planning, regulatory audit work and reporting on financial controls.

Reflex Accounting includes FCA-regulated businesses among the organisations they support. Their audit page states that they assist firms with CASS and FCA compliance requirements, especially where businesses manage client money or operate in financial services. The firm’s audit process focuses on planning around risk, reviewing evidence, assessing controls and explaining findings in a clear way after the audit work is completed.

Key Highlights:

  • Registered as auditors in the UK by ACCA
  • Provides audit and assurance services for UK businesses
  • Supports FCA-regulated businesses with CASS and FCA compliance requirements
  • Uses risk-based audit planning
  • Works with statutory, voluntary and regulatory audits

Services:

  • Audit and assurance
  • External audit
  • Statutory audit
  • Voluntary audit
  • Regulatory audit
  • CASS and FCA compliance support
  • Fieldwork and evidence review

Contact Information:

  • Website: reflexaccounting.co.uk
  • E-mail: info@reflexaccounting.co.uk
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Reflex-Accounting
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/reflexaccounting
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/reflexaccounting1
  • Address: 17 School Rd, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8JG
  • Phone: +44 121 262 1528

KPMG

KPMG works with regulated financial services firms on CASS compliance, client asset controls and wider risk advisory matters. Their CASS work is shaped around the core purpose of the FCA Client Assets Sourcebook – keeping client money and custody assets protected if a firm fails. KPMG places attention on how CASS controls are embedded across a business, from board-level oversight to day-to-day operational processes.

For firms dealing with CASS 7 obligations, KPMG can support areas such as CASS monitoring, control reviews, remediation work, operating model changes and training. They also cover newer regulatory developments, including changes affecting payment and e-money firms. KPMG’s CASS team includes specialists focused on client assets consulting, with experience across different types of financial services organisations and CASS operations.

Key Highlights:

  • Works with financial services firms on CASS compliance and client asset controls
  • Focuses on segregation of client money and appropriate custody asset registration
  • Covers CASS governance, oversight, monitoring and control reviews
  • Supports firms with CASS operating model and remediation work
  • Provides CASS training tailored to firm requirements

Services:

  • CASS compliance support
  • CASS assurance and monitoring reviews
  • CASS control environment reviews
  • CASS RP and CMAR reviews
  • CASS operating model support
  • CASS training design and implementation

Contact Information:

  • Website: kpmg.com
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/KPMG
  • Twitter: x.com/kpmguk
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kpmg-uk
  • Address: One Snowhill, Snowhill Queensway, B4 6GH , Birmingham, UK  
  • Phone: +44 (0)121 232 3000

PwC

PwC provides CASS 7 audit and assurance work for firms that need independent review of their client money controls. Their CASS 7 audit approach looks at whether a firm is complying with the FCA Client Assets Sourcebook, including how client money is separated, recorded, reconciled and governed.

PwC’s CASS work covers both the design and operating effectiveness of controls. They can assess fund segregation, statutory acknowledgement letters, internal and external reconciliations, break investigation processes, governance arrangements and the CASS resolution pack.

Key Highlights:

  • Provides CASS 7 audits under FCA and FRC expectations
  • Reviews client money segregation, records and reconciliations
  • Tests the design and operating effectiveness of controls
  • Covers internal and external reconciliation processes
  • Supports reasonable assurance and limited assurance engagements

Services:

  • CASS 7 audit
  • CASS assurance reporting
  • Client money control testing
  • Segregation of funds review
  • Internal reconciliation testing
  • External reconciliation testing

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.pwc.com
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/PwCUK
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pwc-uk
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/pwc_uk
  • Address: One Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX 
  • Phone: +44 (0)121 265 5000 

Deloitte

Deloitte works with financial institutions on CASS risk advisory, with a focus on helping firms understand how the CASS rules apply to their operations. Their CASS team supports firms with oversight, control design, remediation and regulatory readiness. The work is not limited to checking compliance after the event; Deloitte also helps firms interpret rules and build control environments that can stand up to external review.

A notable part of Deloitte’s approach is the way they handle findings during an engagement. They work with firms to agree factual accuracy and raise potential issues early, so remedial action can be considered while the work is still in progress. Their services cover CASS SMF and oversight support, training, FCA regulatory visit preparation, audit finding remediation, risk and control management, and support during business or regulatory change.

Key Highlights:

  • Has a dedicated CASS Risk Advisory team
  • Works with a wide range of financial institutions
  • Supports firms with CASS rule interpretation and control development
  • Covers CASS SMF and oversight mentoring
  • Helps firms prepare for FCA regulatory visits and reviews

Services:

  • CASS risk advisory
  • CASS control environment assessment
  • CASS SMF and oversight support
  • Ad-hoc CASS advice and training

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.deloitte.com
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/deloittedanmark
  • Twitter: x.com/DeloitteDanmark
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte
  • Address: Four Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HZ United Kingdom 
  • Phone: +44 (0)121 632 6000

EY

EY works across audit, assurance and financial services, with CASS 7 audit work focused on how regulated firms protect and account for client money. Their CASS 7 audits look at whether firms are following FCA Client Assets Sourcebook rules, including the way client funds are segregated, reconciled and controlled. The work is also shaped by the insolvency purpose behind CASS – client money should be clearly identifiable and retrievable if a firm fails.

For firms with CASS 7 obligations, EY can review daily internal and external reconciliations, breach management, acknowledgement letters, trust account arrangements and the wider control environment around client money. Their audit approach also reflects the strict nature of CASS reporting, where breaches are generally reportable without the same materiality threshold used in a statutory financial audit.

Key Highlights:

  • Reviews client money segregation and reconciliation processes
  • Assesses internal and external client money reconciliations
  • Looks at breach registers and breach reporting controls
  • Tests trust account arrangements and bank acknowledgement letters
  • Considers operational risks linked to payment service providers

Services:

  • CASS 7 audit
  • Client money control review
  • Internal reconciliation review
  • External reconciliation review
  • Breach register assessment
  • CASS control deficiency review
  • Audit and assurance services

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.ey.com
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/EY
  • Twitter: x.com/EYnews
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ernstandyoung
  • Address: One Colmore Square, Birmingham B4 6HQ
  • Phone: +44 121 535 2000 

BDO

BDO has worked with client asset matters where records, claims, client money entitlements and asset return processes need careful review. Their work around client assets shows familiarity with issues that can arise when a regulated firm has shortfalls in client assets or client money, especially where books and records need to be compared with what is actually held for clients.

BDO’s client asset work can involve structured communication with clients, claim forms, client asset statements, client money entitlement calculations and support around disputed positions. For firms or cases involving CASS-related controls, this type of experience is relevant because CASS is closely tied to clear records, accurate entitlements, asset protection and the timely return of client money or custody assets when things go wrong.

Key Highlights:

  • Handles client asset and client money matters in regulated environments
  • Works with client asset statements and client money entitlement information
  • Deals with cases involving shortfalls in client assets and client money
  • Uses structured processes for claim review and client communication
  • Considers books and records when assessing client positions

Services:

  • Client asset review support
  • Client asset statement preparation support
  • Claim form and client communication processes
  • Books and records review
  • Shortfall assessment support
  • Disputed claim handling support

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.bdo.co.uk
  • E-mail: experienced.hire@bdo.co.uk
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bdo-llp
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/bdo_uk
  • Address: Two Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6GA, United Kingdom
  • Phone: 0121 352 6200

PKF Smith Cooper

PKF Smith Cooper works with CASS 6 and CASS 7 matters for firms preparing for CASS audits. Their CASS work is closely linked to wealth and asset management, funds, private equity, broker-dealers and other financial services businesses where custody assets or client money rules apply. The firm also provides statutory audit, CASS audit, health checks, limited assurance reviews and internal audit services.

PKF Smith Cooper places a lot of attention on audit readiness. They focus on early communication, CASS reporting deadlines, risk and controls matrices, resolution packs, policies, procedures, breach registers and staff training.

Key Highlights:

  • Works with CASS 6 and CASS 7 audit preparation
  • Supports firms in wealth, asset management, funds and private equity
  • Covers CASS audits, health checks and limited assurance reviews
  • Reviews risk and controls matrices as part of CASS readiness
  • Provides internal audit and controls support alongside audit work

Services:

  • CASS audit preparation
  • CASS health checks
  • Limited assurance reviews
  • Statutory audit
  • CASS audit
  • Internal audit services
  • Risk and controls matrix review

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.pkfsmithcooper.com
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/PKFsmithcooper
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pkfsmithcooper
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/pkfsmithcooper
  • Address: Cornerblock, 2 Cornwall St, Birmingham B3 2DX, United Kingdom
  • Phone: 03333446306 

Bishop Fleming

Bishop Fleming is a UK accountancy firm with audit teams working across external audit, internal audit, financial reporting and specialist assurance. They have an office in Birmingham and provide audit support for a wide mix of organisations, including SMEs, corporate groups, academy trusts, charities, public sector bodies and regulated businesses.

Bishop Fleming also covers specialist audit services, including FCA-regulated audits and pension scheme audits. For firms looking at CASS 7 audit support in Birmingham, their wider audit and risk assurance capability may be relevant where the business needs review of controls, reporting processes and regulatory compliance. 

Key Highlights:

  • Provides external audit, internal audit and financial reporting support
  • Works with SMEs, large corporates, academy trusts, charities and public sector organisations
  • Offers specialist assurance services, including FCA-regulated audits

Services:

  • External audit
  • Internal audit
  • Risk assurance
  • Financial reporting
  • Specialist audit services
  • FCA-regulated audits
  • Pension scheme audits

Contact Information:

  • Website: www.bishopfleming.co.uk
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Life-at-Bishop-Fleming/100093464198343
  • Twitter: x.com/BishopFlemingUK
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bishop-fleming-chartered-accountants
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/bishopfleminguk
  • Address: 55 Colmore Row Birmingham B3 2AA
  • Phone: 03333 219000

Conclusion

Choosing a CASS 7 audit provider usually comes down to more than location. FCA-regulated firms need auditors who understand client money rules, reconciliation requirements, breach reporting, segregation controls and the wider expectations placed on firms that hold or control client assets.

A suitable provider should be able to explain the audit process clearly, work with the firm’s internal teams, and give practical feedback where controls or records need attention. Some organisations may prefer a local Birmingham-based firm, while others may need a larger assurance team with broader financial services or regulatory experience.

This guide is designed to give a practical overview of CASS 7 audit companies serving Birmingham, not to rank them. The right choice will depend on the firm’s permissions, client money arrangements, internal systems, reporting deadlines and the level of support needed before, during and after the audit.