A Practical Guide to CASS 7 Audit Companies in Edinburgh

Firms subject to the FCA’s Client Assets Sourcebook face a complex regulatory environment, particularly when managing client money under CASS 7 requirements. A well-executed CASS audit does more than meet compliance obligations – it helps organisations strengthen controls, improve oversight and build confidence among regulators and stakeholders.

Edinburgh is home to a broad range of audit and advisory firms supporting regulated businesses across financial services. From established accountancy practices to specialist compliance providers, different firms bring varying levels of sector expertise, regulatory experience and technical capabilities.

This guide highlights a selection of companies providing CASS 7 audit services in and around Edinburgh. Rather than ranking providers, the aim is to offer practical context on the firms operating in this area and the types of organisations they typically support.

Acumon

Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing CASS 7 audit services to firms and organisations across Edinburgh and the wider UK market.

The firm works with regulated businesses ranging from investment firms and wealth managers through to larger financial services groups operating within FCA-regulated environments. CASS 7 audit engagements are designed to provide assurance over client asset arrangements, support regulatory compliance and strengthen governance frameworks.

Acumon provides CASS 7 audit support across a range of regulatory and reporting requirements, including client asset reviews, control testing, compliance assessments and reporting under the FCA Client Assets Sourcebook (CASS). Services are delivered using a structured risk-based methodology tailored to the scale, complexity and regulatory profile of each organisation.

Acumon holds a Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence, enabling the firm to support organisations subject to enhanced regulatory oversight in the United Kingdom. In addition to 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.

Client asset arrangements frequently involve oversight across multiple entities, jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks. Acumon works with compliance teams, boards and management to support FCA requirements while helping organisations strengthen governance arrangements, reporting processes and internal controls as they grow.

CASS 7 Audit Capabilities

Acumon provides CASS 7 audit services across a wide range of regulated entities and operational environments.

These include:

• investment firms and wealth managers
• FCA-regulated firms safeguarding client assets
• organisations subject to CASS 7 requirements
• multi-entity and group structures
• businesses with cross-border operations
• regulated entities with complex control frameworks

Engagements are typically led by senior professionals with direct involvement throughout the engagement.

Regulatory Licences and Registrations

Acumon maintains 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 support organisations operating across both the UK and key international financial centres.

Core Services

In addition to CASS 7 audit services, Acumon provides a range of services that support governance, reporting and regulatory compliance.

These include:

• CASS 7 audits and client asset 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 7 audit work is often delivered alongside discussions with management and compliance teams regarding client asset arrangements, governance frameworks and regulatory obligations.

Many regulated firms encounter increasingly complex compliance requirements as they grow, expand regulated activities or operate across multiple jurisdictions.

Acumon works with businesses that are:

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

Early engagement can help ensure that control environments, documentation and compliance procedures are aligned with CASS 7 requirements.

Contact Information

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

Prydis

Prydis provides CASS audit and assurance services for FCA-regulated firms that hold or control client money and assets. Their offering covers CASS 5, CASS 6 and CASS 7 requirements, supporting businesses that need independent assurance over compliance with FCA rules. The firm serves financial services organisations across the UK, including wealth management businesses, fund managers and fintech companies.

A key part of their approach is assessing controls before formal audit work begins and identifying areas that may require attention. CASS 7 audits often involve reviewing how client money is segregated, recorded and monitored, and their services are designed to help firms maintain oversight of these processes while meeting regulatory reporting obligations.

Key Highlights

• CASS audit and assurance services for FCA-regulated firms
• Experience with CASS 5, CASS 6 and CASS 7 requirements
• Support for wealth management and fintech businesses
• Pre-audit assessments and control reviews
• Services available to firms across the UK

Services

• CASS audits
• Assurance engagements
• FCA compliance reviews
• Internal control assessments
• Regulatory reporting support
• Audit and assurance
• Business advisory

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

RSM UK

RSM UK supports financial services firms with client money and asset compliance under the FCA’s CASS framework. Their teams assist organisations in understanding regulatory obligations and assessing whether existing arrangements remain aligned with CASS requirements. This includes businesses that handle client money under CASS 7 rules.

Financial institutions often face challenges around governance, reporting and operational controls, particularly as FCA expectations continue to evolve. Their work covers assurance reviews, process evaluations and support with regulatory submissions, helping firms review how client assets are managed and protected.

Key Highlights

• Focus on financial services risk and regulation
• Support for CASS compliance and oversight
• Experience with CMAR reporting requirements
• Assistance with governance and control reviews
• Services for firms handling client money and assets

Services

• CASS assurance reviews
• Annual CASS audits
• Forensic analysis
• Control framework reviews
• CMAR support
• Resolution pack reviews
• Risk assurance

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

Saffery

Saffery advises FCA-regulated firms on the application of CASS rules and the audit requirements linked to client money and custody assets. Their work covers both reasonable assurance and limited assurance engagements, depending on a firm’s permissions and regulatory status. CASS 7 audits form part of this framework for firms that hold client money.

The regulatory environment surrounding client assets can be complex, particularly for businesses operating across multiple activities. Their guidance addresses reporting obligations, audit deadlines and the practical interpretation of FCA rules, helping firms understand the steps needed to remain compliant throughout the year.

Key Highlights

• Support for FCA-regulated businesses
• Experience with reasonable and limited assurance engagements
• Coverage of client money and custody asset rules
• Guidance on audit deadlines and reporting
• Focus on regulatory compliance

Services

• CASS audits
• Assurance reporting
• Regulatory guidance
• Compliance assessments
• Audit planning support
• Financial services advisory
• Risk reviews

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

Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars provides CASS and safeguarding support for firms operating in regulated financial markets. Their services address governance, control frameworks and compliance with client asset protection rules, including those relevant to CASS 7. Businesses such as asset managers, banks and payment firms fall within the sectors they support.

Changes in regulation and increased scrutiny around client asset protection have made strong oversight more important for regulated firms. Their teams examine systems, controls and operational processes, with input from specialists in areas such as technology and risk management where these play a role in CASS compliance.

Key Highlights

• Experience across financial services sectors
• CASS and safeguarding support
• Focus on governance and oversight
• Technology and risk specialists involved in reviews
• Services for payment firms and asset managers

Services

• CASS assurance
• Safeguarding reviews
• Risk consulting
• Control assessments
• IT and systems reviews
• Regulatory compliance support
• Audit and assurance

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

Johnston Carmichael

Johnston Carmichael supports financial services firms dealing with the operational and regulatory demands of CASS compliance. Their CASS audit practice covers both reasonable and limited assurance engagements, with attention given to how governance structures, business models and technology affect compliance with FCA rules.

Technology plays an important role in client money oversight, particularly where firms rely on multiple systems and applications. By combining CASS expertise with IT audit capabilities, they assess key controls and identify areas where processes can be strengthened to support ongoing compliance under CASS 7.

Key Highlights

• Dedicated CASS and safeguarding team
• Experience in financial services regulation
• Integrated CASS and IT audit approach
• Focus on governance and control frameworks
• Support for evolving FCA requirements

Services

• CASS audits
• Safeguarding reviews
• IT audit
• Control testing
• Regulatory assessments
• Compliance support
• 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

Deloitte

Deloitte offers CASS advisory and risk services to firms operating under FCA regulation. Their work focuses on helping businesses interpret CASS rules, evaluate control environments and address areas that may require remediation. This includes support related to CASS 7 obligations for firms handling client money.

Regulatory expectations continue to place significant emphasis on governance, oversight and evidence of compliance. Through advisory engagements, training and control reviews, their teams assist firms in strengthening internal frameworks and preparing for regulatory scrutiny or operational change.

Key Highlights

• CASS risk advisory capabilities
• Support for governance and control environments
• Experience with regulatory change projects
• Assistance with remediation activities
• Services for FCA-regulated firms

Services

• CASS advisory
• Control assessments
• Regulatory reviews
• Training and workshops
• Remediation support
• Risk management
• Compliance advisory

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

Conclusion

Choosing a CASS 7 audit provider in Edinburgh is more than a compliance exercise – it can influence how effectively a firm manages client money, governance and regulatory risk over time. As FCA expectations continue to evolve, many regulated businesses look for advisers who understand not only the rules themselves but also how they apply in practice.

Edinburgh is home to a range of firms supporting financial services organisations with CASS audits, assurance and wider risk oversight. Each provider brings different sector experience, technical capabilities and approaches to compliance, which is why firms often assess factors such as regulatory expertise, knowledge of client asset rules and familiarity with their operating model.

This guide highlights a selection of companies active in this area. Rather than ranking providers, the aim is to offer practical context on the firms operating in the market and the types of services they provide to organisations subject to CASS 7 requirements.