EFA e-bulletin for academies: 20 October 2016
Published 20 October 2016
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1. Information: August accounts return 2015 to 2016 submission arrangements
We expect to issue the 2015 to 2016 August accounts return in mid November. We recognise that this is later than we indicated earlier in the summer and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
We’re working to create a new online form for the accounts return. In the long term, this will simplify and speed up the process for completing and submitting your financial returns to us.
We’ll need all academy trusts to register to use the new online return. We’ll write to accounting officers in mid November 2016 with further information about registering for and setting up the new system.
We’re also producing a separate Excel workbook and guide to help trusts prepare their online submission. The workbook will follow the same structure as the new online return and may assist trusts with calculating and verifying their figures before they are entered into the online return.
It’s important to note that previous versions of the accounts return Excel workbook are unsuitable and should not be used.
We’ll provide regular updates about arrangements for submitting your accounts return via the EFA e-bulletin.
2. Information: Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2017 to 2018
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2017 to 2018 is now open for applications.
CIF is an annual bidding round for single academy trusts, smaller multi-academy trusts (MATs) and sixth-form colleges. It’s mostly allocated to schools to address a significant condition need with a small proportion allocated to high performing academies and colleges to expand (to address overcrowding or create additional places).
We’ve updated the Condition Improvement Fund page on GOV.UK with refreshed guidance about the application process and the timeline of activities for 2017 to 2018.
We’ve also updated the CIF portal IT guidance and added short, step-by-step videos to help you make an application and upload your supporting evidence.
If you’re applying to CIF for the first time you must make sure that you have registered to use the portal by 5pm on 30 November 2016. The deadline for all applications for CIF 2017 to 2018 is midday on 9 December 2016.