A Birmingham school is the latest academy to enlist the Midlands office of national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe Clark Whitehill as a specialist adviser.
The Ninestiles appointment means Crowe Clarke Whitehill now acts for 14 academies in the region and 65 across the firm.
Helen Drew, Midlands Not for Profit partner, said: “Our expertise in this sector is bringing us more and more academy clients.
“We are very pleased that Ninestiles has decided to call on our experience.”
Based at Hartfield Crescent, Acocks Green, Ninestiles has more than 1,400 students. Crowe Clark Whitehill will provide audit and also a range of advisory services.
And Ms Drew has a family affinity with Ninestiles – her mother attended in the late 1940s when it was Harrison Barrow Grammar School for Girls.
“This is still an outstanding school grasping its future with both hands. Appointing auditors, and producing accurate management accounts as well as statutory financial statements and returns, is part of ensuring it has a robust base off which its educational abilities can flourish to the benefit of its students.”
Principal Christine Quinn said: “Academy status and greater independence means it is crucial we operate as a business and gear up accordingly.
“Crowe Clark Whitehill will assist us in making sure that is accomplished. Our appropriately skilled workforce, students, parents, governors and the wider community work in partnership to ensure that high quality learning takes place.
“Our aim is to ensure Ninestiles becomes nationally and internationally acknowledged as a high achieving, innovative and exciting school which recognises and celebrates the diversity of its community. We want it structured and resourced to meet the needs of 21st century students. Within a caring environment we seek to develop and reinforce the values, skills and attributes which promote good citizens and lifelong learning.”
Academies, which were launched under Labour and are being driven forward by the Coalition, are legal entities with a board and trustees, companies limited by guarantee, with more freedoms and the ability to set their own pay and conditions for staff. The Government believes that, unburdened of constraints, academies can excel.