Moore South provides specialist external audit services to academies, multi academy trusts (MATs), grammar schools and independent education organisations across the South.
For more than 20 years, we have supported academy trusts with high-quality, partner-led audit and assurance services that go beyond statutory compliance. Our experienced education sector team helps trusts navigate increasingly complex financial, governance and regulatory requirements with confidence.
We work with single academy trusts, growing MATs and established education groups, delivering practical advice, responsive support and meaningful insight tailored to the challenges facing the sector today.
Whether you are appointing a new academy auditor, retendering your current provision or reviewing your existing service, we provide a collaborative and efficient audit experience built around your trust’s needs.
Our dedicated Education and Not for Profit team works exclusively with organisations across the education sector. This specialist focus gives clients direct access to experienced partners and managers who understand the operational, financial and governance pressures academies face.
We provide expert guidance on:
Because we work with a wide range of academy trusts and schools, we are able to share practical sector insight, benchmarking information and examples of effective governance from across the education landscape.
Specialist education expertise
Our dedicated Academy and Not for Profit team works exclusively with organisations across the education sector, giving clients access to specialist partners and managers who understand the challenges academies face.
Through our work across multiple trusts, we provide practical insight into evolving regulation, governance expectations and financial sustainability pressures, supported by benchmarking and sector-wide experience.
Partner-led, relationship-focused service
We believe audit works best when there is continuity and access to experienced people.
That is why every engagement benefits from hands-on partner involvement throughout the audit process and a consistent audit team that builds knowledge of your trust over time. Our local presence across the South is strengthened by access to the wider Moore UK and international network.
An audit approach designed around academy priorities
Academies are under increasing pressure to deliver more with limited resources.
Whether managing funding constraints, pension cost volatility, fluctuating pupil numbers or increased scrutiny around governance and value for money, our audit process is designed to be efficient, proportionate and low disruption while providing meaningful assurance and insight.
We provide a comprehensive range of external audit and assurance services for academy trusts, including:
All work is delivered in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) using secure cloud-based audit and document-sharing technology.
External audit is no longer simply a year-end compliance exercise.
Trustees and senior leaders increasingly require assurance around financial resilience, risk management, internal controls and long-term sustainability. Our audit approach is designed to provide meaningful insight that supports informed decision-making at Board and Committee level.
We deliver clear reporting, practical recommendations and ongoing support to help academy trusts strengthen governance, improve financial oversight and identify emerging risks early.
Our education sector portfolio includes:
This breadth of experience enables us to understand the unique challenges facing different types of trusts while bringing practical, sector-wide insight to every engagement.
We understand the financial pressures facing academy trusts and the importance of transparency when appointing external auditors.
Our fees are designed to be competitive, proportionate and sustainable, with clear engagement terms, meaningful partner involvement and no hidden extras. Where possible, we also provide future-year fee visibility to support budgeting and long-term financial planning.
Academy trusts are required to appoint external auditors to provide independent assurance over their financial statements and compliance with ESFA and DfE requirements. External audit also helps trustees strengthen governance, financial oversight and internal controls.
Moore South works with a wide range of education organisations, including single academy trusts, multi academy trusts (MATs), grammar schools, faith-based academies and growing education groups across the South.
Our academy audit services typically include the statutory audit of financial statements, Independent Accountant’s Regularity Assurance reporting, Teachers’ Pension audits, Annual Accounts Return support and ongoing advice around accounting, governance and compliance matters.
We provide ongoing support throughout the year, not just during the audit period. Clients have direct access to our education sector specialists for routine advice, regulatory updates and guidance on financial reporting or governance matters.
We use a planned, collaborative and technology-enabled audit approach designed to reduce disruption for finance teams and school leadership. Our consistent audit teams develop knowledge of each trust over time, helping audits run efficiently and smoothly.
Yes. We regularly support academy trusts that are expanding, joining or forming MATs, converting schools or managing organisational change. Our team can provide practical advice around governance, financial reporting and compliance requirements during periods of transition.
Moore South has supported academy trusts and schools for more than 20 years. Our dedicated Education and Not for Profit team works exclusively within the sector, providing specialist knowledge and practical insight based on extensive experience across a broad range of academy clients.
Yes. We regularly attend Trustee, Audit and Finance Committee meetings to present findings, answer questions and support informed decision-making at governance level.
Our fees are designed to be transparent, proportionate and sustainable, with no hidden extras. We aim to provide clarity around future-year fee expectations wherever possible to help trusts with budgeting and financial planning.
If your academy trust is considering a change of auditor, retendering or benchmarking its current service, we would be happy to arrange an informal discussion about your requirements and how we can support your organisation.
If your academy trust is reviewing its external audit arrangements, planning a retender or benchmarking its current service, we would welcome an informal conversation about how Moore South can support your organisation.