The Department for Education (DfE) has released updated guidance and resources to support academy trusts in completing their latest Academies Accounts Return (AR) for 2024 to 2025.
All academy trusts with academies open at any point during the year from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025, are required to complete the AR online form.
The financial data submitted through the AR is used by the DfE to compile the Sector Annual Report and Accounts (SARA), which presents a consolidated view of the academy sector’s finances.
Guidance and resources available
A range of resources have been published to assist with completing the AR, and these can be found here.
Guidance includes:
- How to use the online form;
- Additional information for trusts that are automating their return;
- Differences between the financial statements prepared by trusts in accordance with the Academies Accounts Direction (AAD) and the information required for the AR;
- Full details of who needs to submit an AR;
- The AR Excel workbook for the 2024 to 2025 accounting year; and
- Pension guidance with example reports to help you to complete the pension information tables, which can be found within the balance sheet funds and disclosure section of the AR.
Key changes
As in previous years, the AR has been updated to reflect user feedback as well as changes in policy and regulation. The three main updates are outlined below.
- The teaching school hub fields have been removed;
- The COVID-19 grants fields have been removed; and
- The Overview section is now available in the downloadable reports.
Common errors
According to the DfE, the most frequent errors made when completing the AR include:
- The number of employees whose emoluments exceed £60,000 and £100,000;
- Staff numbers; and
- Academies chart of accounts (ACoA) reallocations.
Deadline
The submission deadline is 28 January 2026.
Action required: Accounts Return setup
Please ensure that your M+A Audit Manager is set up in the ‘External Auditor – Preparer’ role and your M+A Audit Partner is set up in the ‘External Auditor – Approver’ role for the 2025 Accounts Return.
How M+A Partners can help
For any enquiries on completing your Academies Accounts Return for 2024 to 2025, please get in touch with your usual M+A Partners’ contact, or by using the details below.
