Schools & Education

As one of the largest accountancy teams in the UK focused on schools, we are here to provide effective and reassuring support. The schools sector faces challenging times, with significant financial uncertainty. Through our award-winning multi-disciplinary team, we bring timely practical advice to well over 100 charity and corporate-run independent schools, many independent school sector bodies, and academies.

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Why haysmacintyre?

The affordability of schools fees, balanced against the challenges of rising costs in areas such as compliance, regulations and pensions, makes running a school a difficult tightrope to walk. We understand these pressures affect your day to day operations and outlook, so our specialist team is always ready to help with the right advice, at the right time.

With the constant need to secure and build your income and add more, we can help with both immediate and long-term aspects. Our tax team has an in-depth understanding of the schools sector, especially in areas such as Employment Tax and VAT. As HMRC scrutiny becomes ever more intense, we will work hard to ensure you are well-prepared to withstand it.

Who do we help?

Charitable independent schools
Corporate-run independent schools
Higher education
Academies
Independent school sector bodies

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How we can help

We are well-known for our robust and efficient audits. Our approach is designed to ensure all key risks are highlighted at the earliest opportunity and will be delivered to meet all your needs within your reporting timetable. Auditing is obviously a major part of our work for schools, including internal audits for academies. Yet we offer knowledgeable and helpful advice on so many more of the issues that face you.

Our services

Audit and assurance (external and internal)
Tax advice including Gift Aid and VAT
Corporation Tax and Employment Tax compliance
Trading activities and benefits planning
Negotiations with HMRC
Strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence
Financial modelling, management and monitoring
Financial benchmarking and reporting

Building for the future

The here and now is important, but survival depends on effective financial modelling and sustainability. Many schools are seeking to consolidate their strength through mergers and acquisitions, and we are thoroughly conversant with all the processes and exacting in our approach to due diligence.

When deeper financial advice is required, we can provide a holistic solution by putting you in touch with experts from our extensive network of contacts. Whether directly or in conjunction with these trusted firms, we make sure you benefit from a joined-up and effective service.

Working together

We build successful relationships with schools by not only providing exceptional expertise, but also consistently high quality service. We are proactive and will sometimes challenge you, but in a supportive and constructive way.

To share our expertise, we are very active in events and seminars, create training programmes for school bursars, governors and charity trustees, and regularly produce thought leadership articles, benchmarking reports and governance surveys.

Your feedback is important to us, so we will listen closely and respond appropriately. Through rigorous processes, a genuine interest in your success and a determination to build on it, we aim to create a long-standing relationship with you.

Schools Briefing – ISBA Conference 2024

Our latest Schools Briefing - ISBA Conference edition is now available to download!

Schools Briefing – Spring 2024

This edition of our schools briefing looks at some political and environmental considerations which may be a concern for independent schools. Phil Salmon, Partner and Co-Head of VAT, sets out some things for independent schools to consider in the event Labour form the next Government and introduce VAT on school fees. Andrew Roberts, Senior Manager, […]

Charity and Not for Profit eNews

The latest edition of our Charity and Not for Profit eNews is now available to download by clicking on the button below and visiting our publications page.