Academies

The Academy model is set to revolutionise the way in which schools operate. Choose Carpenter Box to help your school on that journey. Carpenter Box is a member of the MHA group, which already acts for over 120 academies, so by working with us you will be benefit from all of that experience, meaning your transition will be smoother and less expensive.

School kids

The Academy Act 2010 offers schools the opportunity to benefit from the freedoms and flexibilities that academy status can bring, including: freedom from LEA control and routine school inspections, greater control over the budget, freedom to set teachers’ pay and contracts, as well as greater flexibility in the curriculum, term times and length of the school day. However, the decision not to proceed with academy conversion is equally important and needs to consider the level of support the LEA will be able to provide for schools that remain under their control.

MHA Carpenter Box have a broad experience in the education field and can support your school as it strives to attain Academy status. Our extensive experience alongside the national resource that MHA brings us means that you will not be paying us to reinvent wheels.

Key issues we can help you with when becoming an academy

If your school is considering becoming an academy, our specialist academy accountants and business advisers can help with the following:

School kids

  • Information to be considered in the academy conversion process.
  • Audit, accounting and reporting requirements.
  • Setting-up systems and procedures for the new academy.
  • Budgets, cash flow and financial plans.
  • Assistance with the Responsible Officer role.
  • A VAT review and advice on the best method for academies to reclaim VAT.
  • Employment tax issues and engagement of worker.
  • Advice on the best structure for any commercial trading activities - eg school uniform sales, sports facility rental etc)
  • Review and advice on the chart of accounts.
  • Advice on year end accounting and running the year end procedure.
  • Review of the Financial Procedures Manual, to ensure it is in accordance with the Academies Financial Handbook.

If you are considering converting to an academy or have already achieved academy status but want further help, please contact one of our specialist academy accountants.

For an informal chat about our services for the agricultural sector:

Contact Eileen Goff or Robin Evans

Registered to carry on audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales