Month 6
The Key for School Leaders An Essential Guide to Academy Conversion
POST CONVERSION
Month 6
• Completed support grant certificate : www . gov . uk / government / publications / academy-support-grant
• Check and make any possible changes to complaints procedure
• Receive first letter and welcome letter from EFA
• Liaise with accountants – this is good practice to help keep dialogue with your accountants open , and you will now be using new financial software
TIP : when you organise your financial system training with the system company , invite your accountants in too . Then , when you learn about the reporting side , the accountants can be there to advise on the formats of the reports based on what they need from you .
• Activate Secure Access for the EFA Information Exchange ( for lead school , or SBM at new / acquired school )
• Book in visit by legal services providers to discuss expectations and monthly plan – for a month after conversion
• EduBase – URN and update details
• Synchronise nominal structure into financial planning software
TIP : it is best to ensure that your financial planning software can ‘ talk ’ to your financial management software .
• Take time to review basic reporting ahead of reporting training in a month ’ s time
• Check schedule is prepared for follow-up software training – troubleshooting and reporting
TIP : one school ordered physical stamps for documentation to ensure everything got signatures . The amount of paperwork involved means numerous single items within the office space which all require prompt attention .
• Complete pension fund provider contact details form and discretions statement
• Complete Teachers ’ Pensions employer portal application form – cannot do until converted ( in a MAT , access is limited to the lead school )
• Set up BACs and carry out payroll dry run
• Set up online bank account ( allow 1-2 hours )
• Send main LA policies to HR provider for advice on initial reviews
• Arrange for academy trustees to review initial / urgent policies
• Review future month-end processes and filing systems . Make use of month-end guidance , payroll guidance and accountancy expectations
• P45s will be issued in place of P60s – alert staff ( to avoid unnecessary distress upon receipt ) and arrange for the P45s to be delivered to school .
Further information
NASBM training video in the EFA library : www . nasbm . co . uk / EFAlibrary . aspx
Examples of risk and governance documentation in the NASBM EFA Library : www . nasbm . co . uk / EFAlibrary . aspx
GOV . UK ’ s list of framework agreements : www . gov . uk / guidance / buying-for-schools / 3a-directselection-of-a-supplier-from-a-framework
Academy conversion checklist from The Key : https :// schoolleaders . thekeysupport . com / schoolevaluation-and-improvement / academy-status / academyconversion / academy-conversion-checklists /
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