Internal scrutiny/internal audit for academies

The ESFA require that every Trust must have sound internal controls, risk management and assurance processes.

Our vast experience in the academy sector has allowed us to establish a complete internal scrutiny programme to provide assurance on not only the financial risks, but to the wider issues that trusts are exposed to. At UHY we are committed to working alongside your Audit Committee and Accounting Officer as strategic partners, to provide a tailored approach to the individual risks identified as areas of focus. 

Here are just some of the areas on which we can provide assurance:

• Procurement
• Incoming resources
• Payroll and HR
• Governance and compliance
• Risk management
• Key financial controls
• Monthly closedown procedures
• Senior executive remuneration
• Absence management
• Budgetary control and management information
• Fixed assets and capital accounting
• Data and information security
• Fraud, theft and bribery
• Fund accounting

Our internal scrutiny/internal audit approach

We use a risk-based audit approach which identifies the strategic, operational and financial risks your Trust faces. We work with you to ensure you are effectively managing risks across systems, processes, people and working practices in a way that aligns with your objectives and ensures compliance the Academy Trust Handbook.

The scope, testing and internal scrutiny reports are bespoke, designed by us to ensure our testing covers the requirements of the latest sector guidance and other best practice guidelines. This is then tailored by our experienced team to each client’s needs after discussing the proposed scope with management, taking into account the level of risk associated with each review and the level of assurance to be obtained.