25 January 2017
In a recent blog, we highlighted some of the issues being faced by academies and auditors alike relating to the completion and submission of the AARs.
Peter Lauener, chief executive of the Education Funding Agency (EFA), has since authored a new ‘Dear Accounting Officer’ letter (‘DAO letter’) to all accounting officers of academy trusts addressing the issues surrounding the new online form for this year’s return.
In the letter, he confirmed that the EFA had decided to extend the deadline to Tuesday 28 February 2017. This new deadline also applies to those trusts preparing short period accounts, who were due to submit their accounts return on 21 February.
He went on to apologise for any problems that schools and auditors had experienced since using the online accounts return, and to reassure us that appropriate steps were being taken to resolve existing and new issues. He also confirmed that extra staff had been allocated to deal more efficiently with outstanding queries.
This is a much welcomed announcement, by trusts and auditors alike.
A copy of Peter's letter can be found here.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues highlighted in this blog, please contact your nearest academy expert or complete our online contact form. Alternatively, if you would like to read more academy focused blogs, please click here.
