Our Services
Further & Higher Education
The Scrutton Bland Approach: Our external audit services are based on a sound audit methodology, a focus on high-level controls, and a supportive approach. We work closely with clients to ensure that deadlines for the finalisation and audit of financial statements are comfortably met. Our internal audit services will help ensure compliance with the stringent conditions of the Learning and Skills Council and HEFCE, whilst also being positive and supportive to clients. As the relationship between the LSC and colleges changes with the development of systems of control based upon trust, our services will continue to evolve to meet these new needs.
Service Features
We are market leaders in the provision of internal and external audit services to higher and further education in East Anglia. Our experience enables us to recognise the funding pressure being faced in both sectors. With HEFCE and the LSC providing only modest increases in core funding, there are strong pressures to achieve high levels of student recruitment and retention, to maintain financial viability. Developments in the sector, including the removal of the MaSN, the introduction of foundation degrees and the reshaping of the LSC funding methodology, all provide both opportunities and challenges to Further and Higher Education bodies, which our specialists fully understand.
Making the difference
It is our view that external and internal audit services should be provided by those with a detailed knowledge of the two sectors and a commitment to continue building that knowledge. Our belief is that, if this policy is followed, the services can be tailored to the users’ requirements. The services can then add value whilst still being compliant. Currently, we act for three higher education institutions, plus more than twelve further education colleges within our region. We also act for two open college networks, providing accreditation services. In addition, we provide tax advice and related services including tax computations of trading subsidiaries sheltering via profit-shedding gift aid payments. Complementing this, we provide guidance on employee benefit issues, group reconstructions and other areas of tax advice. Scrutton Bland has a commitment to the concepts of lifelong learning, vocational training and higher education through membership of national working parties dealing with audit issues. We invest in research in the sector and much of this is summarised in the ‘Guide for Governors’ we issue on a regular basis to clients and others. The Guide provides a valuable summary of ongoing developments. The Scrutton Bland Group is unique in its field by offering a very wide range of financial services under one roof. As well as accounting, tax, audit and corporate finance services, we offer independent financial advice, insurance broking and risk management services. We believe that we are the only Group in East Anglia offering these combined services in-house.
Additional Group Services
We provide external audit services to a range of entities and have a strong presence in higher and further education. In addition, we are pleased to provide a payroll health check service; this is important for those organisations with relatively large payroll costs. Minor errors on payroll and benefit matters can be costly in terms of tax liabilities.
What next?
For further information on how we can help you, contact our following specialists via telephone or email:
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