Our offering

External audit

We provide external audit services for over 70 registered providers of social housing ranging from large groups with over 50,000 units operating all over the country to small, more local or specialist associations with less than 100 units. Our clients include former local authority transfers, care and support organisations as well as long established traditional housing associations. The audits also cover a number of special purpose vehicles (SPVs), providing development, treasury, maintenance and other special purpose services.

Accounting advice

In addition to advising on financial reporting matters, we offer advice on systems selection and implementation, control procedures, treasury policies and procedures and a whole range of other similar operational control procedures.

Tax advice

Our tax advice services include corporation tax, compliance services which covers estimating any corporation tax liability, proposing draft wording for the disclosures in the financial statements and assisting our clients with the submission of tax returns to HMRC plus dealing with any enquiries. Particular areas of continuing focus are the appropriateness of current or proposed corporate structures, charitable status and the adverse timing impact on corporation tax of component accounting.

We also advise clients on all VAT matters, primarily related to their own internal compliance, mitigation of irrecoverable VAT and recognition of reliefs available, and also in relation to structuring of major property transactions. We work closely with clients and also represent them in negotiations with HMRC including tribunal representation where necessary.

HR consultancy

Our team of HR specialists provide expert support on pay, reward and performance management, including pay benchmarking, job evaluation, grading structure design and equal pay reviews. They also manage the annual Smith & Williamson Housing Association Executive Reward survey for executive and head of function roles, which is widely circulated and discussed within the sector.

"We have a dedicated team of experts specialising in all pension matters who offer a range of services to our clients covering pensions strategy, options appraisal, financial analysis and general consultancy." 

Business plan validation

We have performed comfortably in excess of 100 business plan validations within the sector, reporting to boards and (often) banks and other lenders. The validations are either in connection with transfers from local authorities or due to specific requests from the lending body. We can offer our expertise, which covers Microsoft Excel and BRIXX, to give additional assurance on forecasting processes in light of the additional risks affecting the sector at the moment, from both welfare reform and the new capital funding processes.

Pensions consultancy

Many associations are reviewing their approach towards pensions in view of the rising costs of defined benefit pension schemes and new options becoming available. In addition, associations are turning their attention to 'auto-enrolment' responsibilities that are now on the horizon. We have a dedicated team of experts specialising in all pension matters who offer a range of services to our clients covering pensions strategy, options appraisal, financial analysis and general consultancy.

Due diligence

We have performed numerous due diligence reviews for clients. These reviews have usually been in the context of an entity joining a larger group; our advice has been either to the entity or the larger group, or on some occasions both. Our approach is to ensure that the scope of the review is not boilerplate but covers the specific risks that management of either party are concerned about and takes into account the achievability of the key objectives from the proposed business combination.

Forensics

We have acted for housing organisations and charities on various investigations and have advised clients on implementing fraud risk management systems and bribery investigation and prevention services.

We have performed a number of forensic assignments within the RP sector. We provide forensic services that cover a broad range of contentious matters including:

  • dispute resolution
  • forensic technology
  • personal injury
  • expert witness
  • fraud and financial crime
  • competition services
  • anti-bribery and corruption.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.