Getting Ahead for 2026: Academy Audit Tips

The Academy Trust Handbook 2025 has arrived – and it's not messing around. New requirements emphasise the need for documentation that must be complete and easy for auditors to find. With audit failures potentially triggering financial penalties, DfE breathing down your neck, and reputational damage that spreads faster than gossip in a staff room, the stakes couldn't be higher. 

But here's the good news: audit preparation doesn't have to feel like preparing for war. The smartest School Business Managers are already turning what used to be an annual stress into a smooth, efficient process that saves time and money. 

The Seven Pillars of Audit Efficiency 

1. Ditch the Annual Scramble – Go Year-Round Instead 

Don't treat audit prep like cramming for finals. The smartest Trusts treat it like staying fit – a little effort all year beats a frantic month of panic. Cloud-based systems like SAAF Cloud give you real-time access, automatic version control, and compliance flagging. No more last-minute panic when you realise the files the auditor needed went in the bin with the laptop that broke down 2 weeks ago. 

2. Become an Audit Communication Master 

Poor communication between audit teams and school leadership is a major efficiency killer to all academy audits. Start preparation at least six weeks early, allowing time for document gathering and internal review. Assign one person with full financial system knowledge and document access authority. If responsibility needs to be shared, clearly communicate the best contact person for each area to audit upfront. 

3. Stop Playing Document Hide-and-Seek 

Store your documents where people can actually find them. Use cloud systems with file naming that makes sense. No, seriously – it might sound obvious, but we know what things can get like when you’re already working with a very finite amount of time. This simple change can save hours during audits and might just prevent that moment when everyone's frantically searching for "final_FINAL_version2_revised.xlsx." 

4. Turn Internal Reviews Into Your Secret Weapon 

Think of internal reviews as your audit early warning system. Monthly reviews of procurement, payroll, and asset control catch problems when they're manageable molehills, not audit-day mountains. Quarterly compliance checks let you fix issues systematically instead of explaining them awkwardly. 

5. Transform your Team Into Audit Pros 

Your team’s audit readiness directly impacts efficiency. Train everyone in your MAT or SAT finance team to understand their role and speak confidently about their responsibilities. Create those step-by-step guides that seem tedious now but will save your sanity later. Trust us – future you will send thank-you cards and a bouquet of flowers. 

6. Build Financial Controls that Actually Control

Strong controls don't just tick compliance boxes – they create audit trails so clear that auditors might actually smile (rare, but I know someone who’s seen it happen). Segregate duties properly and clearly, complete reconciliations on time, and review them appropriately. Outstanding reconciliations are audit delays waiting to happen, and nobody has time for that. 

7. Embrace Continuous Improvement 

The efficiency of your academy's audit isn’t about shortcuts – it’s about building robust systems that deliver consistent results whilst minimising disruption. Integrate audit considerations into strategic planning, ensuring new initiatives consider their impact on audit requirements from the outset. View technology investments through the lens of audit efficiency – systems streamlining daily operations often also enhance audit readiness. 

Foster a culture within your academy whereby audit readiness is seen as professional excellence rather than a burden, transforming preparation from a stressful annual event into a routine demonstration of organisational competence. This cultural shift ensures your entire organisation contributes to audit success throughout the year. 

Choosing the Right Internal Scrutiny Partner for Your SAT or MAT

Let's be honest – most institutions need external help, and that's not a weakness; it's smart strategy. External providers bring expertise, objectivity, and often better value than trying to build everything in-house. But not all providers are created equal, so here's your cheat sheet for spotting the good ones: 

Sector Expertise That Actually Exists: You providers must live and breathe education sector auditing, not generic firms who think academy trusts are just another business with fancier acronyms. They need to understand the unique challenges of academy governance require specialists who know the difference between a MAT and a SAT without googling it. 

Support That Doesn't Disappear: The best partners stick around between audit seasons, offering ongoing guidance instead of vanishing like a magician's assistant until next year. Look for providers who'll help implement improvements they identify, rather than just pointing out problems and wishing you luck. 

Value-Added Services That Add Actual Value: Seek providers offering extras like finance consultancy, process improvement, and strategic planning support. Because why settle for basic compliance when you could get a full financial health check-up with your audit? 

Transform Your MAT or SAT's Audit Approach with SAAF Education 

SAAF Education's Internal Scrutiny service combines sector expertise with ongoing support to help academy trusts achieve audit success whilst building long-term financial resilience. Unlike traditional audit firms in the education sector, we don't just ensure compliance – we identify improvement opportunities and implement lasting changes. 

When we identify areas for improvement, we can work with you to implement changes through our comprehensive finance consultancy service, ensuring each audit cycle builds on the previous one. 

Ready to streamline your audit process? Visit saafeducation.org/internal-scrutiny to discover our comprehensive approach to academy trust financial oversight. Or, get in touch to discover how our expert consultants can support your audit preparation. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: How far in advance should we start preparing for our annual audit?

A: Begin formal preparation six weeks before your scheduled audit date. However, the most efficient approach is to maintain audit-ready documentation throughout the year rather than preparing annually. 

Q: What’s the most common cause of audit delays?

A: Poor documentation access is the primary cause of delays. Either not providing auditors with system access for remote audits or failing to organise physical documents before in-person audits results in a seriously inefficient starting point. 

Q: Do we need in-house internal audit capability?

A: Under the Academy Trust Handbook 2025, larger trusts must implement either in-house internal audit functions or procure bought-in services. Most trusts find external provision more cost-effective and comprehensive. 

Q: How can we reduce audit costs without compromising quality?

A: Focus on preparation efficiency rather than cutting corners. Well-prepared audits require less auditor time, reducing costs whilst maintaining thoroughness. 

Q: What documentation should be immediately accessible during an audit?

A: Key documents include financial statements, management accounts, bank reconciliations, procurement records, payroll information, and internal scrutiny reports. All should be organised and easily navigable. 

Q: How often should we conduct internal reviews?

A: Implement monthly financial reviews and quarterly compliance audits. This frequency allows early identification of issues whilst maintaining manageable workloads. 

Q: Can the same provider conduct our internal scrutiny and external audit?

A: No, independence requirements prevent the same firm from providing both services. However, if a provider implements improvements following internal scrutiny, they cannot conduct the subsequent external audit. 

Q: What’s the biggest mistake academy trusts make during audit preparation?

A: Treating audit preparation as an annual event rather than an ongoing process. Continuous preparation significantly reduces workload and stress whilst improving audit outcomes. 

Q: How do we ensure our internal scrutiny meets the new qualification requirements?

A: Choose providers with relevant professional qualifications and demonstrable experience in education sector auditing. This ensures compliance whilst delivering maximum value. 

Q: What should we do if we identify issues during our internal reviews?

A: Address issues immediately and document the resolution process. This proactive approach demonstrates strong governance and often eliminates potential audit findings.