Academies:Academies compliance,financial funding and payments
returns
Information
Further toinformation helpabout openthe academiesfinancial andreturns that academy trusts complymust withsubmit theirto funding agreement and understand their funding and payments.DfE.
Applies to England
Introduction
ESFAThe isDepartment accountable for distributingEducation £61(DfE) billioncollects a variety of data from academy trusts to theperform educationa number of compliance, legal and trainingparliamentary functions. These cover the preparation of:
-
sector annual report and
providingaccounts (SARA)
- spending review and HM Treasury requirements
- assurance
thatto publicParliament fundson arethe properlyoversight spent.of the academy sector
- other legal requirements, such as accounting standards or new legislation
WeDfE workmust closelyensure sector compliance with the Regionalacademy Schoolstrust Commissionershandbook accountability and otherassurance bodiesframework, as well as offering support to ensureacademy trusts that need it.
Land and buildings collection tool
The land and buildings collection tool (LBCT) is a joined-upreturn approachthat requires academy trusts to assessingtell education,us financialabout managementthe land it has. This includes how land and governancebuildings performance.– for example, playing fields and school buildings – are occupied and used. The LBCT asks for supporting documentation, such as leaseholds, annotated site plans and tenancy agreements.
OurThe risk-basedLBCT approachalso toasks academiesfor interventiondetails ensuresabout complianceany withother fundingleases agreementsyour andacademy trust has entered into. These are largely at summary level, apart from any vehicle leases or leases that are not listed in our LBCT guidance.
All data that has been previously submitted via the AcademyLBCT Trustwill Handbookbe pre-populated in the next return. This includes academies that have moved between academy trusts.
Why we ask for this information
We alsoneed leadthis documentary evidence as it forms the department’sbasis supportiveof programmewhat towe encourageinclude excellentas schoolrecognised resourceassets managementin the sector annual report and accounts. This includesdocumentary evidence is reviewed by DfE as part of the SARA preparation and forms the basis of the audit evidence we present to the National Audit Office. This is to ensure that values included in the SARA show an accurate, consolidated view of the academy sector.
Deadlines
The LBCT will go live on 11 November 2025 and has a rangesubmission deadline of tools16 December 2025.
More information about LBCT submission
You can read the guide to completing the academies land and resourcesbuilding supporting:collection tool and use a workbook to help you prepare.
effectiveBudget curriculumforecast return
The budget forecast return (BFR) collects unaudited data annually, which is split by academic and workforcefinancial planning
usingyears over the next 3 years.
The BFR collects the data for revenue income and insightexpenditure, tocapital monitorincome and improveexpenditure, pupil numbers, and other financial performance
commercialdata dealssuch availableas the details of any loans, investments or cash. The BFR also shows how your trust’s reserves are forecasted to schools
Generalprofile over the next 3 years. This should reflect the budgets that your trustees have signed off.
Why we ask for this information
InformationCollecting tothe helpBFR academiesgives DfE an insight into academy trusts’ future solvency, forecasts, pupil numbers and helps us identify any academy trusts who could need some support. It also provides the department with business-cycleassurance planning.about financial governance through compliance with part 2 of the academy trust handbook.
Academiesdata financialas managementpart andof governance
Informationour own reporting requirements to HM Treasury and as part of the spending review assessments that help academiesinfluence understandfuture academy budgets. We also use it extensively to analyse trends and complyforecasts to help with theirnew financialpolicy managementformation, as well as for general analytical review work.
Deadlines
The BFR form went live on 3 June 2025 and governancehas requirements.a submission deadline of 28 August 2025.
AcademyMore Trustinformation Handbookabout BFR submission
You can read detailed guidance about the academies budget forecast return
contains the link to the online form.
Academies accounts return
Academy trusttrusts financialare managementrequired goodto practicesubmit guidesan annual accounts return
Guidance
SettingDfE executiveeach salaries:year. guidanceThe foraccounts return (AR) requires an independent auditor’s sign-off as part of the submission to DfE.
The AR must be completed by all academy trusts
Guidance
Academiesreceived financefunding andfor assuranceany steeringpart groupof termsthe ofacademic referenceyear they were open, even if they closed part-way through the year.
Why we ask for this information
The AR is used for the academies consolidated annual report and accounts
Transparencyannually.
The data
Academyconsolidated trusts:accounts themesare arisinga fromrequirement ESFA'sof assurancegovernment, workand we must lay these in Parliament each year for scrutiny.
A separate AR is required, as the accounting standards DfE must follow are different to the accounting standards set out in the academy accounts direction
Guidance
ESFAacademy investigationtrusts publishingmust policyfollow.
The AR also helps DfE to produce benchmarking data
Corporate2025 report
and has a submission deadline of 27 January 2026.
More information about the academies accounts return
You can read the guide to completing the academies returns.
Academies chart of accounts and automation
The academies chart of accounts (CoA) is DfE’s standard reporting framework for financial returnsreporting and underpins academy trusts’ statutory financial returns.
Why we ask for this information
AcademiesUsing Accountsthe Directionacademies 2022CoA, the department has developed automation technology to 2023reduce andthe burden of submitting yourfinancial 2021returns. This technology enables trusts to 2022electronically auditedsubmit their trial balance data directly from their financial statements
Guidance
Academies(FMS) to the department, where it will then be used to pre-populate:
- a large proportion of the academies accounts return
- a
2023
draft financial statements template
Guidance
Academies
- a third of the following budget forecast return
(BFR)
Guidance
Academies
Trusts landare strongly encouraged to adopt the standard academies CoA to improve efficiencies and buildingsdata collectionquality.
If tool
is looking to upgrade its FMS software, review the guidance on choosing a trust’s financial management system (FMS).
Guidance
AcademiesMore information about the academies chart of accounts and automatingautomation
Read thethe academies chart of accounts returnand automation
Guidance
Academiesjoin financialone returnsof our webinars via Eventbrite
Guidance
Schoolfurther resourceinformation.
Academies managementaccounts self-assessmentdirection checklist
Guidance
Supportstatements
Why we ask for academythis trustsinformation
FinancialTimely supportsubmission of accounts to DfE is essential for giving assurance to Parliament that academy trusts inhave used public money for the purposes intended.
The academies accounts direction is used by academy trusts, their auditors and reporting accountants to prepare and audit financial difficulty
Guidance
the accounting period ending on 31 August annually.
Deadlines
Academy trusttrusts guidemust tosubmit reducingthe fraud
31 December 2025:
- audited accounts
Guidance
- the audit findings report
- an accounts submission cover
Revenue
an fundingannual andinternal payments
scrutiny report
InformationBy to31 helpJanuary academies2026, howtrusts muchmust revenuepublish fundingaccounts theyin willfull receiveon andtheir whenwebsite.
By payments31 areMay made.2026, trusts must file accounts with Companies House.
AcademiesThe revenueacademies fundingaccounts allocations
Guidance
Academiesout generalin annualdetail grantwhat allocationtrusts guides:must 2021submit.
More toinformation 2022
Guidance
Revenueaccounts funding:direction
Read paymentsthe toguidance on the academies
Guidance
Academydirection nationaland non-domesticsubmitting ratesyour (NNDR)audited claimsfinancial statements
Guidance
Academiesfurther compliance
Informationinformation.
How to helpcontact academiesus
If complyyou withhave otherany aspectsquestions ofabout theirfinancial fundingreturns, agreements.you Reports,can letterscontact andus noticesvia the customer help portal.
Keep up to improvedate
We arecommunicate inkey aactions separateand collection.reminders, along with the latest information, through DfE Update. You can register to receive regular bulletins.
Updates to this page
AcademyPublished admissions
Guidance
2014
SettingLast upupdated an7 academiesAugust complaints2025
href="#full-history">+ show all updates
Published
Updated 2014
Lastinformation updatedabout 1academy Septembertrusts 2021
+ showbudget allforecast updates
- returns.
-
Updated with a link to information about submitting academy trusts 2016 to 2017 financial statements.
We
-
Updated thisthe collectionlink to providethe anew morepage comprehensivefor listthe ofacademies GOV.UKaccounts pagesreturn.
-
Updated to supportadd a link to the guide to completing the academies land and academybuildings trusts.collection tool.
-
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2026-08-20 11:34
Updated the academies chart of accounts section, because automation will not be available to complete the accounts return for 2025 to 2026. Updated the land and buildings collection tool section, as the LBCT will not be published in autumn 2026 as previously planned. Updated dates in other sections to reflect deadlines for 2025 to 2026 returns.
2025-08-07 15:49
Updated submission deadlines, removed references to ESFA and added links to further guidance.
2023-07-31 10:30
We have updated this page with information about the school resource management self-assessment tool checklist return, which academy trusts need to complete and return to ESFA by 15 April 2021.
Introduction
ESFAThe isDepartment accountable for distributingEducation £61(DfE) billioncollects a variety of data from academy trusts to theperform educationa number of compliance, legal and trainingparliamentary functions. These cover the preparation of:
-
sector annual report and
providingaccounts (SARA) - spending review and HM Treasury requirements
- assurance
thattopublicParliamentfundsonaretheproperlyoversightspent.of the academy sector - other legal requirements, such as accounting standards or new legislation
WeDfE workmust closelyensure sector compliance with the Regionalacademy Schoolstrust Commissionershandbook accountability and otherassurance bodiesframework, as well as offering support to ensureacademy trusts that need it.
Land and buildings collection tool
The land and buildings collection tool (LBCT) is a joined-upreturn approachthat requires academy trusts to assessingtell education,us financialabout managementthe land it has. This includes how land and governancebuildings performance.– for example, playing fields and school buildings – are occupied and used. The LBCT asks for supporting documentation, such as leaseholds, annotated site plans and tenancy agreements.
OurThe risk-basedLBCT approachalso toasks academiesfor interventiondetails ensuresabout complianceany withother fundingleases agreementsyour andacademy trust has entered into. These are largely at summary level, apart from any vehicle leases or leases that are not listed in our LBCT guidance.
All data that has been previously submitted via the AcademyLBCT Trustwill Handbookbe pre-populated in the next return. This includes academies that have moved between academy trusts.
Why we ask for this information
We alsoneed leadthis documentary evidence as it forms the department’sbasis supportiveof programmewhat towe encourageinclude excellentas schoolrecognised resourceassets managementin the sector annual report and accounts. This includesdocumentary evidence is reviewed by DfE as part of the SARA preparation and forms the basis of the audit evidence we present to the National Audit Office. This is to ensure that values included in the SARA show an accurate, consolidated view of the academy sector.
Deadlines
The LBCT will go live on 11 November 2025 and has a rangesubmission deadline of tools16 December 2025.
More information about LBCT submission
You can read the guide to completing the academies land and resourcesbuilding supporting:collection tool and use a workbook to help you prepare.
effectiveBudget
curriculumforecast returnThe budget forecast return (BFR) collects unaudited data annually, which is split by academic and
workforcefinancialplanningusingyears over the next 3 years.The BFR collects the data for revenue income and
insightexpenditure,tocapitalmonitorincome andimproveexpenditure, pupil numbers, and other financialperformancecommercialdatadealssuchavailableas the details of any loans, investments or cash. The BFR also shows how your trust’s reserves are forecasted toschools
Generalprofile over the next 3 years. This should reflect the budgets that your trustees have signed off.
Why we ask for this information
InformationCollecting tothe helpBFR academiesgives DfE an insight into academy trusts’ future solvency, forecasts, pupil numbers and helps us identify any academy trusts who could need some support. It also provides the department with business-cycleassurance planning.about financial governance through compliance with part 2 of the academy trust handbook.
Academiesdata financialas managementpart andof governance
Informationour own reporting requirements to HM Treasury and as part of the spending review assessments that help academiesinfluence understandfuture academy budgets. We also use it extensively to analyse trends and complyforecasts to help with theirnew financialpolicy managementformation, as well as for general analytical review work.
Deadlines
The BFR form went live on 3 June 2025 and governancehas requirements.a submission deadline of 28 August 2025.
AcademyMore Trustinformation Handbookabout BFR submission
You can read detailed guidance about the academies budget forecast return
contains the link to the online form.
Academies accounts return
Academy trusttrusts financialare managementrequired goodto practicesubmit guidesan annual accounts return
Guidance
SettingDfE executiveeach salaries:year. guidanceThe foraccounts return (AR) requires an independent auditor’s sign-off as part of the submission to DfE.
The AR must be completed by all academy trusts
Guidance
Academiesreceived financefunding andfor assuranceany steeringpart groupof termsthe ofacademic referenceyear they were open, even if they closed part-way through the year.
Why we ask for this information
The AR is used for the academies consolidated annual report and accounts
Transparencyannually.
The data
Academyconsolidated trusts:accounts themesare arisinga fromrequirement ESFA'sof assurancegovernment, workand we must lay these in Parliament each year for scrutiny.
A separate AR is required, as the accounting standards DfE must follow are different to the accounting standards set out in the academy accounts direction
Guidance
ESFAacademy investigationtrusts publishingmust policyfollow.
The AR also helps DfE to produce benchmarking data
Corporate2025 report
and has a submission deadline of 27 January 2026.
More information about the academies accounts return
InformationCollecting tothe helpBFR academiesgives DfE an insight into academy trusts’ future solvency, forecasts, pupil numbers and helps us identify any academy trusts who could need some support. It also provides the department with business-cycleassurance planning.about financial governance through compliance with part 2 of the academy trust handbook.
Informationour own reporting requirements to HM Treasury and as part of the spending review assessments that help academiesinfluence understandfuture academy budgets. We also use it extensively to analyse trends and complyforecasts to help with theirnew financialpolicy managementformation, as well as for general analytical review work.
Deadlines
The BFR form went live on 3 June 2025 and governancehas requirements.a submission deadline of 28 August 2025.
AcademyMore
TrustinformationHandbookabout BFR submissionYou can read detailed guidance about the academies budget forecast return
Academies accounts return
Academy
trusttrustsfinancialaremanagementrequiredgoodtopracticesubmitguidesan annual accounts returnGuidance
SettingDfEexecutiveeachsalaries:year.guidanceTheforaccounts return (AR) requires an independent auditor’s sign-off as part of the submission to DfE.The AR must be completed by all academy trusts
Guidance
Academiesreceivedfinancefundingandforassuranceanysteeringpartgroupoftermstheofacademicreferenceyear they were open, even if they closed part-way through the year.Why we ask for this information
The AR is used for the academies consolidated annual report and accounts
Transparencyannually.The
data
Academyconsolidatedtrusts:accountsthemesarearisingafromrequirementESFA'sofassurancegovernment,workand we must lay these in Parliament each year for scrutiny.A separate AR is required, as the accounting standards DfE must follow are different to the accounting standards set out in the academy accounts direction
Guidance
ESFAacademyinvestigationtrustspublishingmustpolicyfollow.The AR also helps DfE to produce benchmarking data
Corporate2025report
More information about the academies accounts return
You can read the guide to completing the academies returns.
Academies chart of accounts and automation
The academies chart of accounts (CoA) is DfE’s standard reporting framework for financial returnsreporting and underpins academy trusts’ statutory financial returns.
Why we ask for this information
AcademiesUsing
AccountstheDirectionacademies2022CoA, the department has developed automation technology to2023reduceandthe burden of submittingyourfinancial2021returns. This technology enables trusts to2022electronicallyauditedsubmit their trial balance data directly from their financialstatementsGuidance
Academies(FMS) to the department, where it will then be used to pre-populate:- a large proportion of the academies accounts return
- a
2023 Guidance
Academies- a third of the following budget forecast return
Guidance
AcademiesTrusts
landare strongly encouraged to adopt the standard academies CoA to improve efficiencies andbuildingsdatacollectionquality.If
toolGuidance
AcademiesMore information about the academies chart of accounts and
automatingautomationRead
thethe academies chart of accountsreturnand automationGuidance
Academiesjoinfinancialonereturnsof our webinars via EventbriteGuidance
Schoolfurtherresourceinformation.Academies
managementaccountsself-assessmentdirectionchecklistGuidance
Supportstatements
Why we ask for academythis trustsinformation
FinancialTimely supportsubmission of accounts to DfE is essential for giving assurance to Parliament that academy trusts inhave used public money for the purposes intended.
The academies accounts direction is used by academy trusts, their auditors and reporting accountants to prepare and audit financial difficulty
Guidance
the accounting period ending on 31 August annually.
Deadlines
Academy trusttrusts guidemust tosubmit reducingthe fraud
31 December 2025:
- audited accounts
Guidance
- the audit findings report
- an accounts submission cover
Revenue
FinancialTimely
supportsubmission of accounts to DfE is essential for giving assurance to Parliament that academy trustsinhave used public money for the purposes intended.The academies accounts direction is used by academy trusts, their auditors and reporting accountants to prepare and audit financial
difficultyGuidance
Deadlines
Academy
trusttrustsguidemusttosubmitreducingthefraud- audited accounts
Guidance- the audit findings report
- an accounts submission cover
InformationBy to31 helpJanuary academies2026, howtrusts muchmust revenuepublish fundingaccounts theyin willfull receiveon andtheir whenwebsite.
By payments31 areMay made.2026, trusts must file accounts with Companies House.
AcademiesThe
revenueacademiesfundingaccountsallocationsGuidance
Academiesoutgeneralinannualdetailgrantwhatallocationtrustsguides:must2021submit.More
toinformation2022Guidance
Revenueaccountsfunding:directionRead
paymentsthetoguidance on the academiesGuidance
Academydirectionnationalandnon-domesticsubmittingratesyour(NNDR)auditedclaimsfinancial statementsGuidance
Academiesfurther compliance
Informationinformation.
How to helpcontact academiesus
If complyyou withhave otherany aspectsquestions ofabout theirfinancial fundingreturns, agreements.you Reports,can letterscontact andus noticesvia the customer help portal.
Keep up to improvedate
We arecommunicate inkey aactions separateand collection.reminders, along with the latest information, through DfE Update. You can register to receive regular bulletins.
AcademyPublishedadmissionsGuidance
SettingLastupupdatedan7academiesAugustcomplaints2025 href="#full-history">+ show all updates- returns.
-
Updated with a link to information about submitting academy trusts 2016 to 2017 financial statements.
We -
Updated
thisthecollectionlink toprovidetheanewmorepagecomprehensiveforlisttheofacademiesGOV.UKaccountspagesreturn. -
Updated to
supportadd a link to the guide to completing the academies land andacademybuildingstrusts.collection tool.
Updates to this page
Updated 2014
Lastinformation updatedabout 1academy Septembertrusts 2021
+ showbudget allforecast updates
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2026-08-20 11:34
Updated the academies chart of accounts section, because automation will not be available to complete the accounts return for 2025 to 2026. Updated the land and buildings collection tool section, as the LBCT will not be published in autumn 2026 as previously planned. Updated dates in other sections to reflect deadlines for 2025 to 2026 returns.
2025-08-07 15:49
Updated submission deadlines, removed references to ESFA and added links to further guidance.
2023-07-31 10:30
We have updated this page with information about the school resource management self-assessment tool checklist return, which academy trusts need to complete and return to ESFA by 15 April 2021.