EFA e-bulletin for academies: 08 December 2016
Published 8 December 2016
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1. Reminder: how to submit academy trust audited accounts
The deadline for academy trusts to submit their audited accounts and auditor’s management letter is 31 December 2016. This applies to all academies, including free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges (UTCs).
If you’ve not yet submitted your accounts, please ensure you have processes in place to meet the deadline. Please refer to our guide to submitting your accounts to find out how to complete a short online cover form and submit your accounts using EFA Information Exchange.
To help you to meet the 31 December deadline, please:
- ensure that you have access to EFA Information Exchange – your auditors don’t have access to this system and won’t be able to submit accounts on your behalf
- ensure there is adequate time for a trustees’ meeting at which the accounts can be approved and signed, as set out in section 1.6 of the Academies Accounts Direction
Thank you to those who have already submitted their audited accounts and cover sheet.
2. Information: academies accounts return
More than 1,000 trusts have now successfully registered to use the IT system so they can prepare their accounts return using the online form.
We recognise that a small number of trusts are experiencing problems with registering as they’ve already used the system in the past. We’re working to delete duplicate accounts as soon as we’re made aware of the issue and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
We’ve published an updated version of the accounts return 2015 to 2016 Excel workbook together with information about how to submit it. We’ll accept the spreadsheet for trusts that submit their accounts return by 31 December 2016.
From 1 January 2017, we’ll only accept your accounts return using the online form. The deadline for submitting your accounts return is 31 January 2017.
We’d like to bring to your attention the National Audit Office’s communication with academy auditors publication. This document aims to provide an understanding of an academy auditor’s role, particularly in relation to the new academies sector annual report and account (SARA). Please bring this communication to the attention of your trust’s auditor.
3. Reminder: deadline for Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2017 to 2018 applications
If you are applying for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for 2017 to 2018, you must complete and submit your application by noon on 9 December 2016.
We recommend schools and colleges complete their application around 3 to 5 days before the deadline to avoid late enquiries that could lead to missing the deadline.
The dedicated CIF application helpline can be contacted on 01325 340 947. The helpline will be available until 12 noon 9 December for CIF application and portal access issues.
You can use this service between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday (until noon on Friday 9 December). For all other enquiries you must use the EFA online enquiry form.