The Greetland Academy | Simpson Wood

Amanda Rawson

http://www.greetlandacademy.org.uk/calderdale/primary/greetland

Objective:

As one of Yorkshire’s first primary convertor academies in 2011, it was extremely important for Greetland Academy to ensure its financial systems were robust.

Governors looked for a local company with experience in working with schools and a willingness to guide the management team through the changes involved in becoming an academy trust.

Our Solution:

Simpson Wood has built a strong relationship with Greetland Academy, based on mutual trust and understanding, with meetings in person around three times a year.

Each December, we complete the challenging task of the annual audit and submission of accounts. We also successfully handle several returns for the Department for Education within tight timescales.

In addition to this work, Simpson Wood conducts external assurance visits each term, compiling findings for governors’ meetings, and providing assurance reports on matters such as grant claims.

Outcome:

Simpson Wood has supported Greetland Academy to meet the Government’s requirements for its financial records, which help to ensure its success as a trust. We are now working with the management team on plans for Greetland to become a multi-academy trust, supporting other schools to achieve high standards.

Since conversion we have been more than happy with the quality of service from Simpson Wood. Danny McAllister has been our direct contact and has been at the end of the phone whenever help has been needed. Governors have also welcomed his attendance at meetings to present the annual accounts.

The staff conducting the audit and completion of the accounts have been thorough and professional but also approachable and supportive.

We are more than happy to recommend the services of Simpson Wood and are looking forward to continuing a long and successful working relationship with them.