Guidance

Academies Accounts Direction 2022 to 2023 and submitting your audited 2021 to 2022 audited financial statements

Guidance for academy trusts, external auditors and reporting accountants on preparing, auditing and submitting an academy trust's 2022 to 2023 annual financial statements. The link and guidance for submitting an academy trust's annual 2021 to 2022 financial statements is still open and will be updated later in the year to allow for 2022 to 2023 submissions.

From:
Education and Skills Funding Agency
Published
12 June 2015
Last updated
2619 AprilOctober 20232022 — See all updates

Applies to England

Overview

The Academies Accounts Direction is used by academy trusts, their auditors and reporting accountants to prepare and audit financial statements for the accounting period ending on 31 August annually.

In addition to the Accounts Direction, two further documents have been published:

  • a model set of accounts for academy trusts (known commonly as the “Coketown model”)
  • an auditor framework and guide, primarily for use by academy trust external auditors and reporting accountants.

ESFA published a supplementary bulletin to the Accounts Direction in 2020/21 which addressed the impacts of COVID-19 and this remains extant. ESFA does not intend to issue a further supplementary bulletin for the year 2021/22.

The Accounts Direction and model set of accounts have the same contractual status, and compliance with both documents is a requirement of an academy trust’s funding agreement.

TrustsThe shouldAccounts alsoDirection referoutlines to the Academyrequirements Trustfor Handbookeach 2022.academy trust to:

What
  • prepare hasan changedannual inreport thisand edition

Thefinancial 2022statements to 202331 DirectionAugust

  • have doesthese notaccounts introduceaudited anyannually newby requirements,independent andregistered theauditors
  • produce changesa madestatement provideof clarificationregularity, onpropriety existingand requirements.compliance Theand changesobtain cana beregularity foundassurance report on pagesthis 5statement andfrom 6the ofauditor
  • submit the Directionaudited accounts and pageauditor’s 3regularity ofassurance report to ESFA by 31 December
  • file the modelaccounts accounts.with the Companies Registrar as required under the Companies Act 2006
  • publish the audited accounts on the trust’s website by 31 January.

    • Trusts should also refer to the Academy Trust Handbook 2021.

    Feedback

    We are seeking feedback from academy trusts and auditors on the Academies Accounts Direction and the Academies model accounts. To help us ensure these documents continue to meet your needs, please complete the short survey.

    Please note there will be a separate survey to collect feedback on the Academies Accounts Return (AAR) and this will be available within the return itself.

    Academies Accounts Direction 20222021 to 20232022

    Academies Accountsaccounts Directiondirection 20222021 to 20232022

    PDF, 680724 KB, 95 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Model set of accounts for academy trusts 2022 to 2023

    Academies model accounts 20222021 to 20232022

    PDF, 659638 KB, 70 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Framework and guide for external auditors and reporting accountants of academy trusts 2022 to 2023

    Framework and guide for external auditors and reporting accountants of academy trusts 20222021 to 20232022

    PDF, 345419 KB, 35 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Academies Accounts Direction supplementary bulletin: July 2021

    The Academies Accounts Direction: supplementary bulletin July 2021 provides guidance to trustees, accounting officers and their external auditors on matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have an impact on the accounts.

    Academies Accounts Direction supplementary bulletin: July 2021

    PDF, 274 KB, 12 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Submitting your 2021 to 2022 financial statements

    The accounts submission coversheet online form is open.

    To access the form use this link:

    ASC login

    Please do not use your DfE sign-in or IDAMS registration details. ThisThey will not work with this form.

    If you have used this type of online form before (for example, the last time you submitted your ASC or the schools resource management self-assessment tool checklist), you can log in using the same details.

    You can also “sign up” to create a new password for the checklist return.

    The deadline for submission wasis 31 December 2022.

    Guide to submitting academy trust audited financial statements 2021-22

    PDF, 6381.24 KBMB, 20 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    You must upload your audited financial statements, auditor’s management letter and your annual summary internal scrutiny report within the accounts’ submission coversheet.

    Additionally, you must publish your accounts on your academy trust’s website as soon as possible after approval by the trustees and by 31 January 2023.

    You must also file these accounts with Companies House within 9 months of the end of the accounting period. For most trusts, this will be 31 May 2023.

    Academies Accounts Direction 20212020 to 20222021

    The Academies Accounts Direction 20212020 to 20222021 explained how to prepare and submit financial statements for the period ending 31 August 2022.2020. In addition to the Accounts Direction, two further documents were published - a model set of accounts and an auditor framework and guide.

    Academies accountsAccounts directionDirection 20212020 to 20222021

    PDF, 7241.12 KBMB, 9590 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Model set of accounts for academy trusts 2021 to 2022

    Academies model accounts 20212020 to 20222021

    PDF, 6381.55 KBMB, 7068 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Framework and guide for external auditors and reporting accountants of academy trusts 2021 to 2022

    Framework and guide for external auditors and reporting accountants of academy trusts 2021 to 2022

    PDF, 419496 KB, 3534 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Academies Accounts Direction supplementary bulletin: July 2021

    The Academies Accounts Direction: supplementary bulletin July 2021 provides guidance to trustees, accounting officers and their external auditors on matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have an impact on the accounts.

    Academies Accounts Direction supplementary bulletin: July 2021

    PDF, 274 KB, 12 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email ESFA.GOVUK-ENQUIRIES@education.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    ESFA enquiries

    For all enquiries for the Education and Skills Funding Agency

    Published 12 June 2015
    Last updated 2619 AprilOctober 20232022 + show all updates

    1. We have published the Academies Accounts Direction for 2022 to 2023, along with new versions of the academies model accounts and the framework and guide for external auditors and reporting accountants of academy trusts.

    2. We have added guidance for submitting academy trust audited financial statements for 2021 to 2022.

    3. We have added the Academies Accounts Direction for 2021 to 2022 with supporting documents.

    4. We have updated this page with information for academy trusts about how to submit their financial statements by 31 December 2021.

    5. We have added a supplementary bulletin covering matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic which may impact on the 2020 to 2021 academy accounts.

    6. We have added the Academies Accounts Direction for 2020 to 2021 with supporting documents.

    7. We have updated this page with guidance for academy trusts on submitting their audited financial statements for 2019 to 2020.

    8. We have updated the page to change the deadline for submitting financial statements, audit findings, accounts submission coversheet and annual internal scrutiny report for the year ending 31 August 2020 to 31 January 2021.

    9. Page updated with a supplementary bulletin to the Academies Accounts Direction. This provides guidance to trustees, accounting officers and their external auditors on matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which may impact on the 2019/2020 accounts.

    10. Uploaded Academies Accounts Direction (AAD) for 2019 to 2020.

    11. Updated with the guide to submitting academy trust financial statements for 2018-19 and a link to the online form. The deadline is 31 December 2019.

    12. Page updated with the Academies Accounts Direction for the period ending 31 August 2019.

    13. Page updated with information about how academy trusts submit their 2017 to 2018 audited financial statements.

    14. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has published the Academies Accounts Direction 2017 to 2018. This is the reference pack for academy trusts preparing and submitting financial statements to EFA for the year ending 31 August 2018.

    15. Updated the page to include a guidance video for preparing academy trust financial statements.

    16. Updated with information about additional questions in the accounts submission coversheet online form about financial planning, monitoring, support and challenge.

    17. Page updated with information about how academy trusts submit their 2016 to 2017 financial statements.

    18. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has published the Academies Accounts Direction 2016 to 2017. This is the reference pack for academy trusts preparing and submitting financial statements to EFA for the year ending 31 August 2017.

    19. EFA has updated this page to replace the links to video guides, which can now be watched on this page.

    20. Updated with link to the online submission cover sheet and guide to submitting your accounts.

    21. The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has published the 2015 to 2016 update to the Academies Accounts Direction. This is the reference pack for academy trusts preparing and submitting financial statements to EFA for the year ending 31 August 2016.

    22. The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has updated the guide to submitting academy trusts' audited accounts with additional information to help trusts upload their documents to the Document Exchange. There are no other changes to the page.

    23. The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has published a guide for academy trusts to help them submit their accounts for the year ending 31 August 2015 to EFA by the deadline of 31 December 2015. Trusts will also need to complete a short online cover form.

    24. The Education Funding Agency has published additional resources for trusts using the Academies Accounts Direction 2014 to 2015 (SORP 2015).

    25. First published.

    Contents