STAYING COMPLIANT. LEARNING LESSONS. LOOKING FORWARD
Thursday 11 July
Millennium Point, Birmingham
09:15 am - 1:30 pm
CP’S REGULAR EVENT TO UPDATE ACADEMY BUSINESS LEADERS ON CURRENT ISSUES & DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE SECTOR
It may feel a long way off, but it’ll come round in no time at all – secure your place at our annual event for Academy Business Leaders. It’ll keep you up to date to what’s going on across the sector.
It’s an easy way to stay up to date in an ever evolving environment. Our free Academies specific event is the ideal way to get ahead of the game and stay on top of developments.
We have external speakers from the ASCL and ISBL joining our not-for-profit and education sector gurus. They’ll dazzle you with a practical update on the latest developments and issues. Including how best to approach and implement key changes in your Trust.
They’ll be imparting some knowledge gems and top tips.
ASCL: BUDGETS & FUNDING
The latest developments in funding including pay increases etc. With top tips for approaching budget forecast returns.
FINANCIAL & REGULATORY CHANGES. KEY TAKEAWAYS
An update on the key changes in the Academies Accounts Direction for the 2023/24 year, the Academy Trust Handbook for the 2024 year. Plus, an update on other relevant sector developments including ESFA/DfE guidance etc.
ISBL Engaging in an SRMA Review
So what does an SRMA review actually cover? The benefits of engaging in a review for your Trust and how to go about organising one.
VAT: KEY RISK AREAS AND PLANNING POINTS
An update on key risk areas in VAT for academies and how best Trusts can mitigate against these risks.
COMMON ISSUES AND PROBLEM AREAS IN THE YEAR END AUDIT
An insight into some of the common and tricky issues we encounter from our audits and regularity assurance projects. The session will help you plan ahead so your year end audit is a success.
GETTING SUSTAINABILITY SUSSED
Learn more about the key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements for academies. Including what’s on the horizon if International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) sustainability disclosure standards are adopted in the UK. You’ll get a heads up on what process / information you should start looking at to have in place for this.
So, if you’re a business leader in an Academy Trust join us for our annual academies sector focussed event.
Andy Jones
Not- For- Profit Associate Partner & Head of Education - Cooper Parry
Andy is Associate Partner in the Not For Profit team. He has significant experience in working with academies, independent schools, charities and other not for profit organisations, and specialises in providing audit and assurance services as well as advising on financial reporting, internal controls and governance.
Glen Bott
Not- For- Profit Associate Partner & Head of Charities - Cooper Parry
Glen works with a variety of clients across the Not for Profit sector, including local and regional charities, academies and colleges. By sharing best practice and improving the robustness and efficiency of their systems and controls, Glen’s aim is to enable his clients to focus on delivering their strategic mission and objectives, safe in the knowledge that their financial reporting systems are efficient, accurate and fully compliant.
Helen Channer
VAT Senior Manager - Cooper Parry
Helen is a VAT and Indirect Taxes Senior Manager at Cooper Parry, with nearly 15 years of tax experience. Helen leads our VAT and indirect tax offering to our Not For Profit and education clients. Helen works with numerous charities, academies and universities, helping them navigate through the complicated VAT world of partial exemption, non-business restrictions and everything in between. Helen prides herself on her ability to guide her clients through complex VAT problems and challenges, ensuring that risk is managed, good relationships with HMRC are preserved, and that VAT obligations are fully understood.
Helen is also a stamp taxes expert and often works across the wider Cooper Parry tax team supporting on projects including group re-organisations, mergers and acquisitions and property purchases.
Nicoleta Voicu
Head of Sustainability - Cooper Parry
Nico leads Cooper Parry’s sustainability efforts, B-Corp journey and net zero targets. She’s also an Expert Panel member for Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), supporting the delivery of A4S’ aims through shaping its practical guidance, research and thought leadership publications.
Nico works with clients to support them on similar journeys to Cooper Parry’s. Particularly where they need support in the sea of confusing ESG regulations and benchmarks.
Julia Harnden
Funding Specialist - ASCL
Julia is the ASCL Funding Specialist and works with members in academies and maintained schools across mainstream and specialist provision. Most of Julia’s work with members is helping them to develop sustainable strategic financial plans and building financial resilience through effective resource management and embedding integrated curriculum and financial planning (ICFP).
Rebecca Beaver
Lead consultant & SRMA- RBMA Consultancy
Rebecca is a Resource Management Consultant and DfE Accredited SRMA, a Fellow of ISBL, proud recipient of the ISBL CEO Award for Exceptional Contribution to School Business Leadership and governor of an Ofsted ‘outstanding in all areas’ (Dec 2023) primary school. Rebecca applies 34 years of knowledge gained across the business and education sector to her work with local authorities, maintained schools, academies and Trusts.
Rebecca has supported LA’s, maintained schools, SATs and MATs reviewing budgets in excess of £70m. Having secured DfE accreditation as an SRMA in 2019, she has supported the programme through over 100 deployments, as an Accreditor, QA Assessor, Mentor and is ISBL Regional Team Leader for the West Midlands.
Sharon Thorp
Director - Consilium Business Services LTD
Sharon is SRMA and ISBL SRMA Regional Team Leader for East Midlands and Humber region. A DSBM Tutor and Fellow of ISBL
She joined ISBL as an SRMA during the Pilot in 2018, since then I have carried out over 20 deployments in MATS, SATS and LA’s, including Secondary, Primary, Middle and Special schools. Sharon supports the SRMA programme through being a CFO Mentor, QA Assessor, Mentor for aspiring and new SRMA’s.
Sharon is also currently working as an interim CFO and DCEO, covering a maternity leave for 1 year. This Trust has 20 schools, made up of 1 Secondary and 19 Primary (including small academies).
AGENDA
09:15 – 10.00am
ARRIVAL, DRINKS & NETWORKING
10.00 – 10.10am
WELCOME
10.10 – 10.30am
ASCL: BUDGETS & FUNDING
10:.30 – 10.50am
FINANCIAL & REGULATORY CHANGES. KEY TAKEAWAYS
10:50 – 11.10am
ISBL Engaging in an SRMA Review
11.10 – 11.30am
Cuppa Break
11:30 – 11.50am
VAT: KEY RISK AREAS AND PLANNING POINTS
11:50 – 12.10pm
COMMON ISSUES AND PROBLEM AREAS IN THE YEAR END AUDIT
12.10 - 12.30pm
GETTING SUSTAINABILITY SUSSED
12:30 – 12.40pm
Q&A
12:40 – 1:30pm
LUNCH & NETWORKING
1.30pm
FINISH