Because strong education outcomes deserve equally strong financial stewardship.
In education, finance is not simply a back-office function — it underpins governance, credibility, and long-term sustainability. Reporting must be consistent, controls must be defensible, and stakeholders need confidence that funds are managed with care.
Academies and MATs also operate within a fast-moving regulatory environment. Requirements evolve, returns are time-sensitive, and the standard of documentation expected is high. The right accounting structure reduces risk, simplifies scrutiny, and supports confident decision-making throughout the year.
Done properly, specialist support gives leaders and governors a clearer view of performance — while keeping compliance calm, structured, and under control.
We support a wide range of education providers, including academies, MATs, free schools, independent schools, further education settings, and education-focused charities — tailoring the service to your governance model and reporting needs.
Yes. We help keep your year-end preparation and underlying finance function organised, consistent, and aligned with sector expectations — so returns, audits, and board reporting feel controlled rather than last-minute.
Yes. We can support with practical improvements to policies, procedures, and financial controls — including areas such as risk management, oversight, and internal scrutiny support, where appropriate.
Yes. We help you approach VAT matters carefully and consider the most suitable structure for commercial trading activities, including when a subsidiary may be appropriate.
Absolutely. We can provide ongoing accounting support, management reporting, and practical guidance to strengthen the finance function — including support around systems, processes, and board-ready reporting.
Book a free, no-obligation conversation. We’ll understand your setting, governance priorities, and reporting requirements — then outline a clear plan to strengthen control, improve visibility, and keep compliance calm and predictable.
Disciplined preparation that supports smoother year-end delivery — with records, working papers, and reporting kept consistent and ready for scrutiny.
Support to strengthen policies, procedures, and oversight — helping leadership teams demonstrate good financial stewardship with calm confidence.
Clear management information that supports confident oversight — designed to be practical, consistent, and easy to interpret for decision-making.
Careful support across VAT considerations and reporting — ensuring positions are handled properly, with clarity and confidence.
Guidance on structuring trading activity sensibly — including subsidiary considerations where appropriate — so activities remain well-governed and well-understood.
Support selecting and improving accounting systems and workflows — reducing friction, increasing reliability, and strengthening control across the finance function.
Practical forecasting support that helps leaders plan with confidence — strengthening oversight and supporting calmer, more informed decisions.
Support for leadership teams and governors through clear, practical advice — including training sessions where helpful, delivered in a calm, confident style.
Clear reporting that supports confident governance, budgeting, and long-term planning.
Education organisations perform best when leaders can see the financial picture clearly — early, accurately, and without noise. That means consistent reporting, well-maintained controls, and a finance function that supports the decisions governors and senior teams must make throughout the year.
We help create that clarity: tidy records that stand up to scrutiny, structured reporting for boards, and support across areas that often cause uncertainty — including VAT considerations, trading activity structure, and process improvements that reduce pressure on internal teams.
The result is a finance function that supports leadership — with confidence, composure, and control.
| Traditional Accounting Firms | Rothstone Accountants | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Experience | General approach with limited sector detail | ✓Structured around schools, academies & governance needs |
| Audit Readiness | Year-end push, heavier internal workload | ✓Disciplined preparation with calmer year-end delivery |
| Governance & Controls | Limited focus beyond statutory requirements | ✓Practical support for policies, risk and oversight |
| Board Reporting | Basic outputs, harder to interrogate | ✓Clear, decision-ready reporting for leaders and governors |
| VAT & Trading Activity | Handled as standard, limited structure advice | ✓Careful VAT support and trading structure considerations |
| Working Style | Transactional, compliance-led | ✓Relationship-led, calm and controlled delivery |
