Nationally, we are one of the leading advisers to schools and the wider education sector and are currently working with more than 500 academy, free and independent schools across the UK.
2025 academy benchmarking report
We are now in our 13th year of preparing our detailed analysis of the performance of academies across England and Wales.
This year’s report covers over 1,500 academies, drawn from a broad mix of UHY clients and other large trusts to ensure strong national representation. As in previous years, we have reviewed MATs, secondary academies and primary academies, with additional analysis by MAT size to highlight key differences across the sector.
Included at the end of this report, as in previous years, is a useful benchmarking page which allows you to plot your own trust’s data against the average per pupil results in key areas. If you would like a tailored report with a graphical representation of your results, we can help – please either speak to your usual UHY adviser, or get in touch using the form below and let us know.
UHYs 2025 benchmarking report
Our benchmarking report covers around 1,500 academies, with the sample including a mix of our own clients plus some other trusts.
Our academy schools credentials
Our education specialists have years of experience in the sector and have particular expertise with academy schools. Our offices around the UK now act for over 500 academies and free schools, a mix of Multi-Academy Trusts and Single Academy Trusts, primary and secondary schools, including the first special needs school to convert to an academy. A 2023 auditor report from the ESFA ranks UHY as third in the UK by the total number of trusts that we audit, and sixth in the UK by total GAG value of the trusts that we work with.
As a further demonstration of our capabilities and expertise in supporting academy schools, we are also one of the few approved national audit suppliers in the Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) Framework, the largest purchasing consortium for academies, currently with almost 5,000 academy school members.
As experienced auditors and advisers to the sector, whether you are thinking of converting to academy school status or have already done so, we can help you with the complex array of issues you will need to deal with from best value audit and accounts preparation to fundraising and VAT issues. We will provide you with an independent opinion on your financial situation and recommend any necessary adjustments or improvements to your controls and processes for future years.
Services to academy schools
The academy sector can be a challenging one, with a constantly changing set of reporting requirements.
Our experts keep themselves up to date with all the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA) requirements so that they can keep their clients abreast of regulatory and other changes. They also prepare regular academy newsletters on topical issues that affect academies.
Our services to academy schools and free schools include:
- information to be considered in the academy conversion process;
- year end statutory audit and Academy Return completion;
- preparation of your accounts in line with the ESFA Accounts Direction and Charity SORP;
- Teachers Pension EOYC audits;
- advice in connection with the Academies Financial Handbook;
- internal scrutiny services to ensure you comply with all aspects of internal financial management and control;
- VAT reviews and advice on the best method for academies to reclaim VAT;
- advice on the best structure for commercial trading activities, such as the use of subsidiaries;
- assistance with the preparation of March Accounts returns;
- assistance with Budget Forecasts;
- employment tax issues;
- governor training;
- establishing key financial policies and procedures including risk management and internal control;
- assistance with choosing and setting up an appropriate accounting system;
- bookkeeping and support to your finance function, including interim appointments; and
- the preparation of management accounts to aide reporting to governors.
Useful resources
Download our summaries of the Academies Accounts Direction and Academies Financial Handbook using the buttons below. To view all of our latest academies resources, visit the insights section of our website and search using the filter 'academies'
The next step
More information about the services we provide to academy schools can be accessed using the navigation to the right. If you would like to discuss these services in more detail, please contact one of our academy school specialists at your nearest location, or complete the contact form below.
