Education sector experts from Whitley Stimpson, one of the largest independent accountancy and business advisers in the area, are taking part in three top flight education sector conferences in the next few months, starting with the Academies Show at the Birmingham NEC on 22 November 2017.
Whitley Stimpson director Andy Jones explained: “The education sector is constantly changing and evolving at present, and as a leading adviser on finance and governance in academies, we are continuing to show how our knowledge and expertise can help academies keep pace with these changes and ensure they remain focused on maintaining their high standards of education.”
The company advises more than 25 standalone and multi-academy trusts nationally and has continued to build up its specialist team to cover not only the core audit and assurance compliance reporting the Education and Skills Funding Agency, but to be able to assist and advise academies on a wider range of finance and governance matters.
Andy continued: “Although we are continuing to see the growth and development of multi-academy trusts, there is also now an emphasis on improving underperforming schools, which brings with it a number of challenges. We will therefore continue to see the need for academies to secure additional funding and look at alternative and innovative ways of generating income in order to offset the impact of increasing wage and pension costs whilst also supporting school development and improvement.”
“We are also continuing to see an increase in mergers between academy trusts and transfers of academies between trusts, which brings with it the need for strong due diligence on both sides as well as the need to structure growing multi-academy trusts efficiently, both from a financial and governance perspective.”
Whitley Stimpson’s education team will also be attending the Academies Event 2018 on 28 February at the AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester, where the focus of the event is on what the future holds for existing academies and schools considering converting to academy status.
The team will then be attending the Oxfordshire Academies Business Managers Conference at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, on 6 March 2018, where they are also sponsoring the evening reception and drinks.
Andy said: “With the all the changes going on at present, these events are focused on how academies and importantly, their leadership teams, business leaders and governors, can adapt to these changes and take the opportunities to deliver excellent educational and business outcomes for everyone.”
“The team is really looking forward to taking to the road again after several successful years at other conferences. It’s always great to make new connections at these events as well as seeing some of our clients and contacts there and it always really interesting to hear firsthand what academies, business leaders and governors are most concerned about. It’s not just about us advising them – it’s about us listening to them so we can offer the best support.”
For further details of Whitley Stimpson education services or events please contact Andy Jones on 01295 270200 or by email at andyj@whitleystimpson.co.uk
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