Whitley Stimpson launches ABC Academies

Feb 24, 2014

Whitley Stimpson has launched an Academies Brunch Club, known as ABC, with the aim of bringing finance directors, business managers, bursars and finance governors together under one roof to share their common insights, experience and knowledge amongst each other.

The first event for 2014 will take place at Banbury Cricket Club on Thursday 27 March 2014 from 10.30 – 14.00. It’s FREE to attend and will be launched by guest speaker, Jennifer Jewitt, Finance Director at South Hunsley School and 6th Form College.

ABC is the initiative of Andy Jones, who joined Whitley Stimpson’s dedicated Education Services team, headed up by Martin Wyatt, at the end of last year.

The ABC will meet regularly throughout the year, with forthcoming dates soon confirmed atwww.whitleystimpson.co.uk.  It is free for all attendees, but with limited spaces available, people are urged to register ASAP by emailing: academies@whitleystimpson.co.uk.

“Whether schools are in the process of converting to Academy status or are already an established Academy, they face many similar challenges in terms of their financial systems and compliance,” comments Andy Jones, Partner, Whitley Stimpson.  “The aim of ABC is to empower people in their roles with the knowledge and expertise to really make a difference to their Academies.  Most importantly, this will help Academies to ensure their efforts are focused on the right areas so as to ensure the benefit for the Academy and its students.”

The launch of ABC comes at a time when the government is continuing to encourage schools to convert to Academy status, whilst also developing tighter regulations to ensure each Academy is accountable for its finances.

For the first ABC event, our focus will be around management information and Jennifer Jewitt will highlight the importance of management information in Academies and the type of financial information that should be prepared in addition to sharing her own practical experiences and knowledge.

The transition to Academy status and post conversion requires schools to negotiate a myriad of business and government regulations, which makes seeking professional advice from financial experts fundamental to making a successful conversion.

All members of Whitley Stimpson’s dedicated Education Services team are fully trained on the financial, governance and reporting requirements for Academies.  The team will be on hand at each ABC event to provide their own insights and experience and answer any queries attendees may have.

Whitley Stimpson acts for over 40 Academies and schools, including primary and secondary converter Academies, Free Schools, SEN Schools and several Multi-Academy Trusts.

To register to attend the free Academies Brunch Club at Banbury Cricket Club on Thursday 27 March 2014 from 10.30 – 14.00, email: academies@whitleystimpson.co.uk by 20th March 2014. 

For further information about Whitley Stimpson’s Education Services team visit: www.whitleystimpson.co.uk