Internal Scrutiny
Robust internal scrutiny helps identify risks, improve processes, and support compliance with regulatory requirements, giving trustees confidence in decision-making.
Why Choose SBS for Internal Scrutiny?
SBS’s Internal Scrutiny service is exclusively designed for the education sector, providing your academy trust with specialist expertise in risk management and operational assurance. Our qualified auditors have extensive, hands-on experience within schools and MATs, offering unparalleled insights and tailored solutions that set us apart.
As education specialists, we provide in-depth scrutiny across all areas of school operations.
From financial management, governance, risk management, HR and payroll, estates, safeguarding and SEND, pupil attendance, data and technology – we understand the unique challenges trusts face.
With SBS’s Internal Scrutiny your trust benefits from broad, education-focused expertise and insights, offering a truly comprehensive assurance service.
Our team has extensive experience within the education sector, working exclusively with schools and trusts.
We understand the unique challenges that MATs and academies face and bring our in-depth knowledge of the sector to identify, mitigate, and manage risks effectively.
Working directly with over 180 MATs and academies, we are uniquely placed to share best practices from across the sector.
Enhance your governance oversight with independent, external advice from a trusted partner who understands the unique challenges of the education sector. Our expert auditors act as a critical friend, providing objective insights and actionable recommendations to strengthen your Trust’s financial and operational resilience.
Our service ensures your trust stays compliant with statutory duties, including timely submission of your summary report and year-end accounts before December 31st.
“This is highly organised and the audits are extremely thorough, providing an extensive report for our board to monitor progress, identify gaps and take forward recommendations on how we can improve our service to the highest possible standard. The audits are completed remotely and the college feedback and responses are taken into consideration prior to the production of the final audit report. I would recommend this services to others.”
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to Internal Scrutiny.
Find out who can undertake the review, what is covered and new 2026/27 requirements.
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Protect Your Trust from Financial and Operational Risks
Our Internal Scrutiny service is based on a risk-driven approach, ensuring that we focus on the areas that matter most to your trust. Here’s how it works:
Identify Risks That Matter Most
We begin by working collaboratively with your team to assess your strategic objectives and the risks that could prevent you from achieving them.
We review your risk register and prioritise key risks that need attention.
Regular Reviews & Audits
Once key risks are identified, we plan a programme of work to assess the controls you currently have in place.
We focus on ensuring your processes and controls are functioning effectively to mitigate those risks.
Supporting Continuous Improvement
Our experts offer valuable advice on how to improve processes, sharing templates, good practices, and solutions that have worked well across other trusts.
This not only helps you stay compliant but also boosts efficiency and effectiveness in your operations.
“Their approach, the staff, the thoroughness/rigor level that they adopt, the recommendations, the reporting style or more importantly their collaboration with our Trust Board to ensure that the IS work absolutely aligns with our strategic priorities and is cross referenced to our risk register.”
Internal Scrutiny Service Breakdown
School Business Services can help your trust build a strong culture of risk management.
Our Internal Scrutiny programme streamlines systems and processes, helping you save time and money, so you can focus on enhancing educational outcomes for your learners.
See below how SBS compare against Financial Auditors.
| Areas of Scrutiny | SBS | Financial Auditor |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | ||
| Financial Controls Framework | ||
| Financial Planning and Reporting | ||
| Month End and Management Accounts | ||
| Income and Debt Management | ||
| Procurement Management | ||
| Cash and Banking | ||
| Asset Management | ||
| Lettings (Income & Estates) | ||
| Governance | ||
| Structure and Process | ||
| Fraud, Theft and Bribery | ||
| Risk Management | ||
| Website Compliance | ||
| AI Governance | ||
| Organisational Culture | ||
| Safeguarding & Education | ||
| Safeguarding Procedures Review | ||
| Single Central Record | ||
| Pupil Attendance | ||
| SEND Review | ||
| Educational Visits | ||
| HR & Payroll | ||
| Strategic Recruitment and Retention | ||
| HR Management | ||
| Recruitment Lifecycle | ||
| Induction and Training | ||
| Probation and Performance Management | ||
| Staff Absence Management | ||
| Staff Wellbeing | ||
| Payroll Systems and Management | ||
| Estates | ||
| Estates Management | ||
| Capital Projects | ||
| Health and Safety Management | ||
| Sustainability | ||
| Information Technology (IT) | ||
| Cyber Security Procedures | ||
| Data Privacy and Protection | ||
| Business Continuity | ||
| Business Continuity Planning |
Meet our Internal Scrutiny Lead
Andrya Norris
Our Internal Scrutiny Service Lead, Andrya Norris (CMgr, MCMI), has a wealth of experience in the education sector, including 25 years working in education finance and operations, culminating as the Chief Operations and Finance Officer for a MAT of five schools.
Andrya holds a First-Class Honours degree in School Business Management and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors.
Get Started with SBS Internal Scrutiny Today
Let us help you protect your trust and achieve greater operational efficiency.
Contact us today to find out how SBS’s Internal Scrutiny service can safeguard your operations and guide your trust towards a secure future.
Book your discovery call