An Academy Brochure from a firm who specialise in Academies and who sit on the YPLA Audit Advisory Group. Forrester Boyd

1. Academies
"a modern approach to education"
Education

2. Contents
Introduction 3
What are academies? 4
The differences 5
Conversion process - part 1 6
Conversion process - part 2 7
The issues 8
How we can help 9
Academy payroll 10
Other services 11
“ Forrester Boyd’s support has
been invaluable during this
transitional period. I know they
are always at the end of the
‘phone and always happy to
help; they go the extra mile.
Gemma Rylatt ”
Business Manager at the Humberston
Park Special School, Grimsby
2 Traditional values, progressive thought www.forrester-boyd.co.uk

3. Introduction
Forrester Boyd Education specialise in guiding head teachers,
governors and finance executives through the Academy conversion
process and beyond.
Our dedicated team brings together an extensive range of
skills and experience in the Education and Academy sector
Our services include:
Contact
and the firm were founder members of the YPLA Audit Advisory • Help with the conversion process
Group. As the Education department is part of Forrester Boyd
Chartered Accountants, it is able to call upon a wide range
• Help with governance Kevin Hopper
Education Partner for Grimsby
of in-house specialists. This diversity is becoming ever more • Review of systems and controls and Hull
important in meeting modern day client needs.
• Budgeting Tel: 01472 350601
Tel: 01482 307690
Our in-house specialist services include, VAT, PAYE, corporate • Year end compliance and the annual audit E-mail: k.hopper@forrester-boyd.co.uk
tax, personal tax, pension, investment, wealth management
and human resources, allowing us to meet and exceed all of
• VAT and PAYE advice
your requirements. • Payroll transfer and implementation
Alan Nesbitt
As a participant of Praxity AISBL, one of the largest alliances Education Partner for Louth
of independent accounting firms throughout the world, and We are committed to providing you with proactive advice Tel: 01507 606111
being part of UK200’s education group, we feel that we and ‘hands on’ support and a fast, flexible and friendly E-mail: a.nesbitt@forrester-boyd.co.uk
have the expertise and experience to offer Academies the service conducted with the highest standards of professional
complete package. integrity and confidence.
“ focussed on service and support
”
Grimsby 01472 350601 Louth 01507 606111 Hull 01482 307690 Forrester Boyd Education
3

4. What are Academies?
Running an Academy is very different to operating within the Local
Authority's structure.There is a fundamental change in ethos and
therefore we need to start at the beginning.
Background to Academies The new Academies - what you need to know
The Labour government launched its Academy programme in • Academies are prohibited from imposing charges for
March 2000, in order to replace under-performing schools. admission or attendance
These ‘old’ Academies were set up under Section 482 of the
Education Act 1996 and required external sponsorship. • The conversion process has been simplified and should only
take around 3 months
Coalition government brings changes • Any person may enter into an agreement with the
Secretary of State to run an Academy
In May 2010 the new Coalition Government set out its plan
to reform the local education system and make it easier to
set up schools outside local authority maintenance, which
• They have the freedom to work outside LA control and set
their own pay scales, conditions, curriculum and term and
effectively gives schools their freedom. day lengths
The new Academy schools are established under the
Academies Act 2010 and are set up as a company limited by
guarantee. The articles of association define the Academy as
“
an ‘Academy Trust’, with the trust being responsible for the
running and controlling of the Academy assets and land.
We were extremely proud of
being asked to join the YPLA
Audit Advisory Group
”
Forrester Boyd Education
4 Traditional values, progressive thought www.forrester-boyd.co.uk

5. The Differences
Independent schools, old style Academies and new style Academies.
The education sector is becoming increasingly complex, but what are
the differences?
Old style versus new style Academies Academies versus independent schools
The old style Academies were set up under the Education
Act 1996 and required external sponsorship. • Academies receive public funding from the State, under a
contractual relationship
They were effectively aimed at schools that under-performed. • An Academy has no contractual relationship with the
students’ parents
The new style Academies are established under the
Academies Act 2010 and initially only schools with an Ofsted • schools will not apply to Academies to maintained
Much education legislation that applies
rating as ‘Outstanding’ could apply.
Those schools that did not have an outstanding rating would
• be able have an admissionsanpolicy. fee, but will still
Academies cannot charge admission
partner with a school that has an outstanding rating or obtain
a sponsor.
However, during 2011 the rating required to convert was
reduced and schools that were seen as improving had a chance
to become an academy, without a partner or sponsor.
“ All new schools should
be academies
” Michael Gove
Grimsby 01472 350601 Louth 01507 606111 Hull 01482 307690 Forrester Boyd
Education
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6. The conversion Process - part 1
The conversion process has been simplified and a target time of three
months is achievable, if there are no complicating factors.
The conversion process consists of a number of stages - The consultation should include anyone you feel to be
appropriate, but an indication of relevant people would be:
• Preparation
• Consultation • The Local Authority
• Application by governing body • Parents
• The Academy Order • Teachers
• Notification • Governors
• forming the of the commercial arrangements, including
Completion • External professionals
company
• Registration requirements The process can take place at any point before or after the
Academy order has been made, but the order will not be
• Other issues completed until this process is completed.
Preparation and consultation
The key to the successful conversion into Academy status is
to ensure that you are fully prepared and have been through
the consultation process. “ Having a favourable contact at the
Local Authority and the DFE will
speed up the process
”
6 Traditional values, progressive thought www.forrester-boyd.co.uk

7. The conversion Process - part 2
The process will flow much more quickly and easily if you involve
people that have already been through the process.
Application and the Academy order Notification, completion and registration
Once the application has been submitted an enabling Once the Academy order has been processed, then you will
document will be given to the school by the Secretary need to notify the relevant parties, including:
of State.
For all schools classed as outstanding by Ofsted, this should
• Governors
be obtained as a matter of course, unless exceptional • Teachers
circumstances apply. However, you may expect: • Local Authority
• A review toreview there have been no changes since your
last Ofsted
ensure • Your professional team
• A review of your budget deficit Your professional team will then go through the process of
• A visit by Ofsted setting up the Academy and ensuring all the bases are
covered and, where required, all contracts and agreements
Speaking to us for assistance with the are transferred across.
preparation of budgets, should help confirm the
This task is very onerous and using people that have already
viability of the Academy. This should be done at
“
been through the process will ensure that nothing is missed
the consultation process. and everything is in order. In with the Director of Finance and
out with the Bursar
”
Grimsby 01472 350601 Louth 01507 606111 Hull 01482 307690 Forrester Boyd
Education
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8. The Issues
Many schools are rushing to set up as Academies without the
expertise or knowledge of the issues. This is where the professionals
make the difference.
The conversion process has already been discussed very Will TUPE regulations give you the
briefly and there is much more detail and consideration that freedom you want?
should be thought about. This is also true about the issues
that face the Academies. Do I have a budget deficit?
Can I put new teachers on differing contracts?
A summary of the issues include: What will my pension deficit be?
• TUPE regulations These are the types of questions you should be asking
yourself and they should be raised as part of your
• Transfer agreements consultation process, but this is not an exhaustive list and
• Potential pension deficits this is why you should seek professional advice.
• Property issues We can offer advice in respect of detailed financial problems
and queries and also help in a number of the non-financial
• Budget setting issues because of the experience we have gained.
• Financial systems and procedures
• VAT
• Governing concerns “ Academies may not understand
that the pension deficit they inherit
will make them insolvent before
they start
”
8 Traditional values, progressive thought www.forrester-boyd.co.uk

9. How We can help
With our detailed knowledge and experience we can help all Academies,
from those that need guidance through the application process, to
those that are already up and running.
Our services include: What our academies have to say Our expertise and approach:
• Year end audit “ We were impressed by the extent of technical We have the expertise and knowledge to help you through
the Academy conversion process and beyond.
• Specialist audits, including pensions and grants and business orientated support offered by Kevin
Our approach is truly bespoke for each Academy and we
• Year end accounts to the Academy’s requirements Hopper at Forrester Boyd when we first achieved will work closely with you to ensure the service you are
• Risk management Academy status. Since then we have found him receiving is the service you want.
easy to access for ongoing help and guidance
• Implementation procedures of systems and controls when we need it.”
Not only do we offer our expertise and advise you, but
where appropriate, we also ensure that we pass this
• Benchmarking Tony Wood
knowledge onto your finance team.
• Responsible officer training Director of Finance at the St. Lawrence Academy,
• Payroll Scunthorpe
• Investment and pension advice
• Help with budgeting
• Consultancy advice and guidance prior to conversion
“ Our education team understand academies, which removes some of the burden
from you. You can focus on what you are good at - running an Academy
”
Grimsby 01472 350601 Louth 01507 606111 Hull 01482 307690 Forrester Boyd Education
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10. Academy Payroll
More schools and Academies are choosing to move their payroll away
from the LA to a specialist outsourced payroll organisation for greater
efficiency, flexibility and value – let us introduce you to one of the best.
About Dataplan Education What Dataplan Education offer:
Dataplan Payroll Limited is a separate company owned by
Forrester Boyd. It has been providing payroll solutions since
• Free payroll set up
1969 and in 2007 Dataplan Education was established to • including journals management reporting pack,
Comprehensive bespoke
cater for the growing number of school and Academy
payrolls they were dealing with. • Pressure sealed security payslips - including the
Academy logo
Dataplan has won a number of prestigious payroll awards
and currently acts for over 150 schools and Academies
throughout the United Kingdom, from Edinburgh to Torquay.
• Payment of all employees via their BACS facility
Dataplan’s approach is very similar to Forrester Boyd’s.
• All year end PAYE and in year filing
They are not a faceless bureau and you will be working • Monthly PAYE/NI compliance and reporting
with a dedicated team, who will ensure that your change
in provider is seamless.
• Providing all monthly and annual returns for LGPS
and Teachers’ Pension
• Completion of all relevant H M Revenue and
Customs forms
“ Dataplan do exactly what they
promise to do
” Bradford Academy
• Liaison with the tax office on your behalf
• General payroll advice and support
• Access to theirpayroll information for supplying
and approving
secure client extranet
10 Traditional values, progressive thought www.forrester-boyd.co.uk

11. other Services
We can offer many more services to our clients depending on their
circumstances and needs. Every client has their own specific
requirements and our services are highly personal and tailored around
these requirements.
Investment department
• IT support As a Forrester Boyd client you will be able to utilise the
• HR resources other services that we offer. One of these services is via our
• Personal tax advice independent financial services department, FB Wealth
Management Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the
• Investment advice Financial Services Authority. These can include:
• Banking review service • Advice on low risk investments to increase the return on
• Financial planning your funds
• IHT planning • Personal investment advice for teachers and governors
• Company protection schemes • Advice up to retirement and making the most of
your pension
“ A wealth of information for Academies is on our website -
www.forrester-boyd.co.uk/academies including a selection of Academies
we act for and the latest Academy news and updates
”
Grimsby 01472 350601 Louth 01507 606111 Hull 01482 307690 Forrester Boyd
Education
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12. Some more
about us
Forrester Boyd was formed in 1935 by the merger of two
North Lincolnshire partnerships. Since then, the practice has
In addition we are a participant of Praxity AISBL an international
alliance of independent accounting firms across 82 countries,
• Audit and accountancy
established itself as one of the region’s largest, most which gives our clients access to the expertise of dynamic • Taxes and VAT
reputable chartered accountancy practices. international, national and regional firms, opening a new
horizon for accounting services across the globe.
• Financial services*
The practice’s partnership is thirteen strong, supported by over
We believe that this mixture of local expertise and national
• Consultancy and specialised reports
one hundred and fifty professional staff across four offices in
coverage supports our progressive approach whilst not losing • Payroll bureau
Grimsby, Louth, Scunthorpe and Hull and we are proud to have
retained our culture, identity and independence. Today, as well
sight of our traditional core values and services. • IT services and support
as our local clients, we also have clients based all over the UK. At Forrester Boyd, we offer many services other than general • Corporate finance
High professional standards are maintained by ongoing auditing and accounting, giving you the added value and We aim at Forrester Boyd to continually strengthen and
training at all levels and we are proud of the quality and benefit of a full range of business services under one roof, build our partnership; to provide an even better service,
commitment of our staff. which include: professionalism and reliable advice, based on knowledge,
expertise and experience. This we achieve through
commitment, understanding, training and close client liaison.
Forrester Boyd Education
26 South Saint Mary’s Gate Waynflete House Hesslewood Hall Business Centre
Grimsby 139 Eastgate Ferriby Road
DN31 1LW Louth Hessle
t: 01472 350601 LN11 9QQ HU13 0LH
f: 01472 241748 t: 01507 606111 t: 01482 307690
f: 01507 607817
*via FB Wealth Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
www.forrester-boyd.co.uk