Requirements for academy trusts
Academy trusts are required to submit their annual report and financial statements to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) by 31 December every year. The aim is to demonstrate that your trust is appropriately managed and is looking after public money properly.
These documents must include a governance statement. This must signed by the chair and accounting officer (usually the CEO of your trust, unless ESFA has approved someone else in exceptional circumstances).
This requirement applies to all types of academy trust with a funding agreement with the secretary of state for education during the accounting period. It includes free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges (UTCs).
This is set out in the academies accounts direction from the ESFA.
Put your statement together
It's a good idea to assign a couple