Business Services

Internal Scrutiny

Supporting growth and business development

Supporting excellent resource management for schools and academy trusts

We understand the expected requirements and inherent risks that schools and academies are exposed to. Our assurance services are designed to provide support and guidance that resources are managed effectively, ensuring that risks are adequately managed.

Does your school  or academy need assurance services?

Please contact us to discuss how we can implement this service with a process suited to you.

Talk to us

Assisting Academy Trusts with an Internal Audit

The Academy Trust Handbook states all academy trusts must have a programme of internal scrutiny to provide independent assurance to the board that its financial and non-financial controls and risk management procedures are operating effectively.

Schools’ Choice offers a wide range of internal scrutiny options that cover both financial and non-financial controls, along with some transactional testing. These include:

Audit
Business Continuity Planning
Centralisation Process
Compliance
Cyber Security
Fraud, Theft & Bribery
Governance
Health & Safety
Income Controls & Transactional Testing
Monitoring & Review & Transactional Testing
Payroll & Transactional Testing
Planning & Budget
Purchasing & Transactional Testing
Recruitment Process
Risk / Capital Tenders
Risk Management
Safeguarding
Website Review

When you choose to work with us, we’re there every step of the way, supporting you with designing your programme of internal scrutiny works, delivering the programme and then providing summary reports and action plans along with consolidated reporting at the end of the academic year.

Assurance services for Local Authority Maintained Schools

We understand the expectations and requirements that local authorities have of schools and how managing these can be a daunting task. We, therefore, offer a range of assurance services to LA maintained schools designed to reassure your governors and directors that your internal controls and financial governance are robust.

Our services are designed to identify any areas of risk and recommend the best practices to comply with statutory regulations and reporting deadlines, providing your school with an action plan for improvement following our visit.

Helping you to meet the requirements of LA maintained schools

Statement of Internal Control (SIC)

Ensuring that senior staff and the governing body have sufficient, up to date financial skills to fulfil their statutory responsibilities of budget management and financial stewardship of the school.

Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS)

Working with locally maintained schools to have an independent review of internal controls and processes. This helps to ensure that the school is using its resources as efficiently as possible and highlights areas where further improvements could be made. This will help your governors fulfil their statutory obligations for sound financial governance.

Talk to us about our assurance services

If you’d like to find out more about how our assurance consultants can help your school, please contact the Schools’ Choice team. We will listen to your needs and tailor a service to meet your unique requirements.

0300 123 1420